OPENING DEVICE

The present invention relates to a manually operable opening device, such as a door handle or push-plate.

In environments such as hospitals, it is particularly important to maintain stringent standards of hygiene to minimise the spread of bacteria, and thus reduce the risk of infection. If a user of hospital bathroom facilities does not wash his or her hands thoroughly after using the toilet, bacteria may be transferred from the user's hands to a handle on the toilet or bathroom door, and from there, be transferred to the hands of a subsequent user, and then further afield around the hospital.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate one or more of the problems of the prior art, whether identified herein or elsewhere, and to provide improved door handle assembly which is more hygienic to use and results in a reduced risk of transfer of micro-organisms and dirt etc from one user of the handle assembly to another user.

In a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a manually operable opening device comprising attachment means for attachment to a support, contact means which a user may touch when using the opening device, fluid containment means for containing fluid, and absorbent wicking means extending between the fluid containment means and the contact means, wherein the contact means comprises at least one aperture through which fluid passes to an outer surface of the contact means.

The support is preferably hinged, and may be a door. Therefore, the opening device may be a handle. Alternatively, the opening device may be a "push-plate", ie. a surface which a user pushers to open a door.

Advantageously, the arrangement of features provided in the opening device according to the invention is such that it provides an efficient means for repeated and hygienic opening and closing of the support surface to which it is attached, such as the door.

Preferably, the fluid containment means contains antimicrobial fluid, which kills, inhibits or slows the growth of a micro-organism. Examples of micro-organism, which the fluid may combat include bacteria, viruses, fungi, or protozoa, and other pathogens and parasites. The antimicrobial fluid may be a conventional handwash or hand sanitizer fluid.

Thus, the antimicrobial fluid may be absorbed by the absorbent wicking means, and transferred through the at least one aperture to the hand or hands of a user when the user touches the contact means, thereby killing a proportion of microbes on the user's hand. Furthermore, if the user moves his hand across or along the contact means during use, the antimicrobial fluid may be spread over the contact means, where the antimicrobial fluid may kill a proportion of microbes present thereon. Thus, when the opening device is used in a hospital, for example, as a toilet or bathroom door handle or push-plate, the invention may assist in reducing spread of micro-organisms, such as bacteria, and hence the incidence of bacterial infection, in the hospital will be reduced. It will be appreciated that the opening device according to the invention may not necessarily be used in hospitals. It may be attached to any surface which may be prone to microbial infection, such as in any area that is used by many people, such as in a pub, bar, restaurant, office building and so on.

In order to further enhance the hygiene properties of the opening device, the contact means may be made from or coated with a material containing an antimicrobial additive.

The fluid containment means may be disposed substantially above the contact means, and most preferably, when the opening device is not in use, ie when a user is not touching the contacting means to thereby actuate the device.

However, preferably, the fluid containment means is disposed substantially below the contact means, and most preferably, when the opening device is not in use, ie when a user is not touching the contacting means to thereby actuate the device.

By supporting the fluid containment means underneath the contact means, fluid is drawn up therefrom by a wicking action along the wicking means, up into the contact means, and eventually through the at least one aperture to thereby totally cover the contact means. Hence, the assembly does not rely on gravity for fluid to coat the contact means, and this ensures that fluid cannot leak out of the containment means. Additionally, excessive fluid cannot cover the contact means. Hence, only the required amount of fluid is used to cover the outer surface of the contact means as and when required due to the wicking action. This prevents wastage.

Preferably, the contact means is sintered.

By the term "sintered", we mean the contact means is formed into a solid mass by the application of heat and pressure. It will be appreciated that sintering is a method for making objects from powder, increasing the adhesion between particles as they are heated. The sintering process is carried out as follows. Porous stainless steel powder is first pressed into a suitable form under about 400 to 800 bars of pressure dependent on powder size, product form and dimension, as well as the degree of porosity that is to be achieved to form a so- called "green part". This "green part" holds together to a degree, but needs to be sintered for it to solidify permanently. The green part is therefore heated in a furnace under hydrogen atmosphere or a vacuum (dependent on material, size,

etc) to almost its melting point such that the powder parts fuse or sinter together, ie almost melt together, but forming pores therebetween.

Preferably, the contact means comprises a plurality of apertures or pores through which the fluid may flow on to the surface of the contact means. The contact means is therefore porous in nature. Suitably, the contact means comprises at least 10 apertures, more suitably, at least 20 apertures, even more suitably, at least 30 apertures, and still more suitably, at least 50 apertures. Preferably, the contact means comprises at least 100 apertures, more preferably, at least 500 apertures, even more preferably, at least 1000 apertures, and still more suitably, at least 2000 apertures.

The pores are provided very close together, which ensures full coverage of the outer surface of the contact means with antimicrobial fluid, and thereby guarantees that a user of the device will always touch a contact means that is fully coated in antimicrobial fluid. Hence, there is always 100% coverage of the palm of the hand with fluid. Furthermore, the sintering process provides pores which are on the same plane as the outer surface of the contact means such that skin cells from the user's hand are not scraped or pulled off by the contact means thereby causing blockage of the pores. However, the size, number and density of apertures in the contact means ensures that should any grit or dirt happen to block any of the pores, then there is a sufficient number of pores to ensure that fluid is able to pass through on to the surface of the contact means to form a complete coating thereon.

The dimension of the pores of the final sintered contact means is irregular. They exhibit a certain pore size, which is determined by the "bubble point test". Furthermore, the actual pore size on the surface, which is observed with a microscope, may vary greatly from the measured pore size due to the irregular shape of the pores. The distribution of pore size follows a Gaussian curve.

The diameter of apertures in the contact means may be between about 0.01-100 μm, more preferably, between about 0.1-50 μm, even more preferably, between about 0.2-25 μm, and preferably between about 0.3-15 μm, and most preferably between about 0.5-10 μm. Most preferably, the average diameter of apertures is about 0.5 to 1 μm.

It is not easy to determine the pore density in the contact means because sintered materials do not have through-going pores and the pores are irregular in shape. However, the physical dimension of the pores may be described in percent (%). The porosity will give the amount of total pores in a piece of porous product. Preferably, the porosity of the contact means is about 5 to 60%, more preferably, about 10 to 40 %, and most preferably, about 15 to 20%. This means that about 80 to 85% of the contact means is solid material

The contact means may comprise gripping means, which the user may grip when using the opening device. The contact means may be generally elongate, and is preferably, tubular. The gripping means may comprise a gripping surface, which a user may grip when using the opening device. In this case, the gripping surface may be generally tubular, and the apertures may be spaced around the circumference of the gripping surface. Providing a plurality of apertures, and arranging them in this way may assist in increasing the likelihood of a user touching the absorbent wicking part irrespective of the precise way in which the user grips the device.

Preferably, the contact means comprises a lumen in which at least a portion of the absorbent wicking means may be accommodated. Preferably, the wicking means extends along substantially the entire length of the lumen. Preferably, the absorbent wicking means is generally elongate. A first section of the wicking means may be elongate and a second section of the wicking means may be tubular. Preferably, an outer surface of the wicking means (and preferably the

second section thereof) contacts an inner surface of the contact means to thereby create a path along which fluid may flow through the at least one aperture.

The absorbent wicking means may comprise a foamed polymer along which fluid may wick. Preferably, the wicking means is removable and may be easily replaced, if necessary. The absorbent wicking means preferably extends from the fluid containment means such that at least a portion of the wicking means is immersed in fluid. Preferably, the elongate section of the wicking means extends into the fluid. This ensures that fluid is wicked up from the containment means, along the wicking means, and to the contact means. Figure 5 illustrates the path along which wicked fluid may flow from the containment means eventually on to the outer surface of the contact means.

It will be appreciated that the attachment means provides a mechanism by which the opening device is attached to the support. The attachment means may be secured to the support by adhesive. The attachment means may comprise an aperture by which fixing means may secure the attachment means to the support. Suitable fixing means may comprise a nail or screw or the like.

The attachment means may comprise at least one support member which is adapted to support the contact means, preferably in a substantially vertical orientation. Preferably, the attachment means comprises first and second support members arranged to support the contact means therebetween, and preferably vertically. Preferably, the first support member is an upper support member and the second support member is a lower support member.

Preferably, the or each support member comprises cover means releasably connected thereto for concealing the inside of the support member. Preferably, the support member and the cover means comprise mutually shaped portions which enable releasable engagement (and disengagement) therebetween. For

example, such releasable portions may comprise a slot or aperture provided on either the support member or the cover means, for releaseably engaging with a flange or protrusion provided on the other of the support member of cover means. Preferably, the support means and cover means comprise a plurality of spaced apart mutually shaped portions to improve releaseable engagement therebetween.

Preferably, the at least one support member, and most preferably, the lower support member, is adapted to receive the fluid containment means. Preferably, the support member comprises a seat on which the containment means is supported in the support member. The seat ensures the containment means is kept upright to prevent leakage.

The opening device may comprise docking means adapted to engage with and support the fluid containment means. Preferably, the docking means is configured such that fluid from the containment means is absorbed by the wicking means.

Preferably, the at least one support member comprises a mouth through which the wicking means extends between the fluid containment means and the contact means. Preferably, the mouth extends at least partially into the contact means, and preferably abuts a portion of the wicking means. Preferably, the wicking means extends through the mouth of the support member between the containment means and the contact means.

Preferably, the containment means comprises a mouth through which the wicking means extends between the fluid containment means and the contact means. Preferably, the position of the mouth of the containment means corresponds to the mouth of the support member.

Preferably, the opening device comprises sealing means which provides a seal between the support member and the fluid containment means. The seal prevents leakage of fluid as it wicks along the wicking means. The sealing means may comprise an O' ring provided around the containment means, and preferably, the mouth thereof. Hence, the O' ring provides a seal between the mouths of the containment means and the support member.

Preferably, the opening device comprises fluid level indication means by which a user can monitor the level of fluid in the containment means. Preferably, the cover means comprises an aperture extending therethrough, through which the fluid containment means and fluid therein may be viewed. The aperture therefore acts as a viewing window so that a user can monitor usage of the fluid so that the containment means may be re-filled when required before it has completely expired. The window therefore provides a very useful fluid level indicator.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a support comprising a manually operable opening device according to the first aspect of the invention.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of using a support, the method comprising attaching to the support a manually operable opening device according to the first aspect of the invention, and manually operating the opening device to thereby use the support

Preferably, the support is hinged. Preferably, the support is a door. The support may be door in a hallway or a toilet, for example.

The support is preferably one which is prone to microbial infection, such as in any area that is used by many people, such as in a hospital, pub, bar, restaurant, office building and so on.

In a further aspect, there is provided a manually operable opening device comprising an attachment part for attachment to an support such as a door, and a contact part which a user may touch when using the opening device, the contact part including a generally rigid hollow shell which at least substantially encloses an interior space of the contact part and in which is provided an aperture, and an absorbent wicking part which extends from the interior space of the contact part through the aperture, wherein the handle further includes a docking part which is adapted to engage with and support a vessel of liquid, and which is configured such that liquid from a vessel engaged with and supported in the docking part is absorbed by the absorbent wicking part.

The contact part may be generally elongate, and the or each aperture may extend longitudinally along the contact part. Moreover, the contact part includes a plurality of apertures, the absorbent wicking part extending through each of the apertures. The opening device may be a handle, the contact part comprising a grip part which a user may grip when using the handle. In this case, the grip part may be generally tubular, and the apertures may be spaced around the circumference of the grip part. Providing a plurality of apertures, and arranging them in this way may assist in increasing the likelihood of a user touching the absorbent wicking part irrespective of the precise way in which the user grips the handle. The opening device may instead comprise a push-plate. The absorbent wicking part may be made from a foamed polymer. The docking part may be located in the interior space of the grip part, the absorbent wicking part only partly filling the interior space, so that a vessel engaged with the docking part may also be located in the interior space of the grip part.

The contact part may comprise a first part which is integral with or connected to the attachment part, and a second part which is releasably connected to the first part, disengagement of the second part from the first part permitting access to the interior space of the contact part. The provision of such a two part contact part, may enable a user readily to replace a vessel engaged with the docking part,

once that vessel is empty. In order to further enhance the hygiene properties of the handle, the shell of the contact part may be made from or coated with a material containing an antibacterial or an antimicrobial additive.

According to a still further aspect of the invention, we provide a manually operable opening device assembly comprising a manually operable opening device and a vessel of liquid, the manually operable opening device comprising an attachment part for attachment to a support such as a door, and a contact part which a user may touch when using the opening device, the contact part including a generally rigid hollow shell which at least substantially encloses an interior space of the contact part and in which is provided an aperture, and an absorbent wicking part which extends from the interior space of the contact part through the aperture, wherein the opening device further includes a docking part which is engaged with and supports the vessel of liquid, and configured such that liquid from the vessel is absorbed by the absorbent wicking part.

Preferably the vessel contains an anti-bacterial or bactericidal liquid. The opening device may have any of the features of the opening device according to the first aspect of the invention.

All of the features described herein (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined with any of the above aspects in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

An example of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings of which,

Figure 1 is an illustration of a perspective view of a first embodiment of a handle assembly according to the invention,

Figure 2 is an illustration of a cross-section through the handle assembly illustrated in Figure 1 showing an enlarged view of the liquid-containing vessel,

FIGURE 3 is a perspective illustration of the handle assembly of Figures 1 and 2 shown in a disassembled state,

FIGURE 4 is a perspective illustration of a push-plate according to the invention,

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a handle assembly according to the invention in a disassembled state,

FIGURE 6 is a plan view of the handle assembly shown in Figure 5,

FIGURE 7 is a cross-sectional side view of the handle assembly shown in Figure 5,

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional side view of the attachment site of a cover cap,

FIGURE 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional side view of the connection between an absorbent wicking part and a manual contact part,

FIGURE 10 is a partially cross-sectional side view of the handle assembly shown in Figure 5, and

FIGURE 11 is a perspective view of the handle assembly shown in Figure 5.

Referring to Figures 1 to 3, there is shown a first embodiment of a handle assembly 10 comprising handle 12 and a vessel 14, which, in this example is a bottle of anti-bacterial or bactericidal hand-sanitiser liquid. Such hand-sanitiser liquids are well-known, and may comprise water-based solutions of a bactericidal agent such as benzalkonium chloride. A product sold under the name Hands2Go, and manufactured by Water Journey, Inc., is an example of one such product.

The viscosity of the hand-sanitiser liquid can be altered, and the vessel 14 may contain a hand-sanitiser gel.

It will be appreciated that, although a primary advantage of the invention, namely the reduction in the spread of bacteria through manual contact with a handle such as a toilet or bathroom door handle, depends on the liquid in the vessel being anti-bacterial or bactericidal, this need not be the case. The liquid may, for example, contain moisturiser and/or a perfume, the invention thus providing users of the handle with pleasantly moisturised or perfumed hands.

The handle 12 is generally U-shaped, the two side arms 16a, 16b of the U forming an attachment part 16 for attachment to a support such as a door, and the part extending between the two side arms 16a, 16b forming a grip part 18 which a user may hold when using the handle. Conventional mounting means, such as apertures 17 for receiving screws are provided in the attachment part 16 to facilitate fixing of the handle to a door or the like.

The grip part 18 comprises a generally rigid hollow shell 19 which encloses an interior space 20 of the grip part 18 and in which is provided a plurality of apertures 22. In this example, the grip part 18 is tubular and has a generally circular cross-section. The apertures 22 are elongate slots, extend longitudinally along the grip part 18, and are spaced generally equally around the circumference of the grip part 18.

The hollow shell 19 of the grip part 18 is, in this example, integral with the attachment part 16, and may be made from any sufficiently strong and rigid material for the handle 12 to provide the handle 12 with adequate mechanical integrity to withstand the loads applied by a person pulling on or pushing the handle 12 to open the door to which the handle 12 is attached, or to otherwise use the handle 12 for purpose for which it is provided. Preferably, however, the grip part 18 is made from a plastics material, and may be made from or coated with a material containing an antibacterial or an antimicrobial additive. Materials containing such additives are well-known, and are, for example, sold under the trade mark MICROBAN ^® . The grip part 18 may alternatively be made from a metallic material, such as stainless steel or brushed aluminium.

An absorbent wicking part 24, which, in this example is elongate and has a generally cruciform transverse cross-section, is provided, and extends along a substantial part of the interior space 20 of the grip part. The wicking part 24 is fitted sufficiently tightly into the interior space 20 that it extends out of the apertures 22, so that a user handling the grip part 18 may touch not only the shell 19, but also the wicking part 24. In this example, the wicking part 24 is made from a foamed polymer, but may be made from a woven or fleece textile, or any other suitable absorbent material.

The handle 12 further includes a docking part 26 which is adapted to engage with and support the vessel of anti-bacterial hand-sanitiser liquid 14, and which is configured such that liquid from the vessel 14, is absorbed by the absorbent wicking part. The absorbent wicking part 24 acts as a wick for the hand-sanitiser liquid and draws the liquid by capillary action to the exterior surface of the grip part 18. Thus, when a user grips the handle 12, and the user's hand touches the wicking part 24 through one or more of the apertures 22, hand-sanitiser liquid may be transferred to the user's hand, thus killing a proportion of the bacteria on the user's hand. Moreover, if the user's hand moves along or around the grip portion 18 during use, hand-sanitiser liquid may be smeared over the shell 19 of

the grip part 18, where the hand-sanitiser liquid may kill a proportion of the bacteria present on the shell 19. Thus, where used in a hospital, for example as a toilet or bathroom door handle, such a handle assembly may assist in reducing spread of bacteria, and hence the incidence of bacterial infection, in the hospital.

The viscosity of the hand-sanitiser liquid can be selected to ensure optimum flow of the hand-sanitiser liquid along the wicking part 24. For example, if it is found that the hand-sanitiser liquid is flowing too rapidly along the wicking part 24, a hand-sanitiser gel may be used.

In this example, the docking part 26 is located in the interior space 20 of the grip part 18, in a portion of the interior space 20 not occupied by the absorbent wicking part 24, and engages with an end of the absorbent wicking part 24. The docking part 26 is secured with the grip part 18 by a plastic cradle 39a, 39b, which may be integrally moulded with the grip part 18. Preferably, in use, the handle 12 is oriented such that the docking part 26 engages with an uppermost end of the absorbent wicking part 24, i.e. the docking part 26 is located generally vertically above the wicking part 24, and the portion of the interior space 20 of the grip part 18 in which the vessel is located extends generally vertically above the wicking part 24.

As will be appreciated, the exact configuration of the docking part 26 depends on the configuration of the vessel with which it is adapted to engage. In this example, the vessel of hand-sanitiser 14 is a bottle with a generally cylindrical neck 28, the neck 28 being provided at a free end with an outwardly extending lip 28a, and the docking part 26 includes a corresponding tubular part 30 with a generally circular cross-section which is slightly larger in diameter than the neck 28 of the bottle 14. The uppermost end 30b of the tubular part 30 is open whilst lowermost end 30a of the tubular part 30 is partly closed, and the bottle neck 28 is inserted into the open uppermost end 30b. Thus, the vessel 14 is inverted when mounted in the docking part 26. Arranging the vessel 14 in this way,

namely vertically above the absorbent wicking part 24, may be advantageous, as flow of liquid along the absorbent wicking part 24 assisted by gravity, in addition to flow by capillary action.

The tubular part 30 is provided on its interior surface with two circumferential grooves 31a, 31 b, the outwardly extending lip 28a of the bottle neck 28 snapping into the first groove 31a, and then the second groove 31 b as the bottle neck 28 is inserted into the docking part 26. The engagement of the lip 28a in one of the grooves 31a, 31 b supports the neck 28 of the bottle 14 when inserted in the tubular part 30.

The tubular part 30 is also provided with an inner tube 32 which located at the partially closed lowermost end 30a of the tubular part 30, coaxially with the tubular part 30, the uppermost end 32a of the inner tube 32 being sharpened. The lowermost end 32b of the inner tube extends downwardly of the remainder of the docking part 26, and engages with the wicking part 24.

Prior to use, the vessel 14 is sealed with a frangible membrane, so as to avoid leakage of the contents when the vessel 14 is inverted whilst being inserted into the docking part 26. The inner tube 32 is positioned such that as the vessel is pushed into the docking part 26, and the outwardly extending lip 28a is pushed into the second groove 31 b, the sharpened end 32a of the inner tube 32 pierces the membrane, and liquid from the vessel 14 may flow along the inner tuber 32 to the wicking part 24. Thus, flow of liquid from the vessel 14 is regulated by the diameter of the inner tube 32, and the porosity of the wicking part 24, in addition to the viscosity of the liquid.

It will be appreciated, however, that any configuration of vessel and docking part can be used, providing the docking part can support the vessel 14 whilst facilitating flow of liquid to the wicking part 24.

For example, the docking part 26 need not be provided with grooves 31a, 31 b, and may instead be provided with a screw thread which engages with a corresponding screw thread provided on the bottle neck 28. In this case, the bottle 28 would be twisted until the sharpened end 32a of the inner tuber 32 pierces the membrane.

The vessel 14 need not be sealed using a frangible membrane, however, and in order to regulate flow of liquid from the vessel 14, particularly during mounting of the vessel 14 in the docking part 26, the vessel 14 may be provided with a valve which includes a valve member, and a valve seat, the valve member being movable into engagement with the valve seat substantially to prevent flow of liquid from the vessel 14.

In order to prevent flow of liquid out of the vessel 14 whilst the vessel 14 is inverted in preparation for mounting the vessel 14 in the docking part 26, the valve member may be biased into engagement with the valve seat. The valve and docking part 26 may be configured such when the vessel 14 is mounted in the docking part 26, the docking part 26 engages with the valve member and moves it out of engagement with the valve seat such that liquid may flow out of the vessel 14, through the lowermost end 30a of the tubular part 30 and onto the absorbent wicking part 24. Similarly, when the vessel 14 is removed from the docking part 26, the valve member may be adapted to move back into engagement with the valve seat, substantially to close the vessel 14.

In order to facilitate access to the interior space 19 of the grip part 18, the grip part 18 is made in two parts - a first part 18a which is integral with a rear portion of the attachment part 16, and thus, in use, forms a rear portion of the grip part 18 closest to a door or other object on which the handle 12 is mounted, and a second part 18b which is releasably connected to the first part 18a and which forms a front portion of the grip part 18 and the attachment part 16 relative to the door or other object on which the handle 12 is mounted. The first and second parts 18a,

18b of the grip part 18 are provided with corresponding formations which enable the two parts 18a, 18b to be releasably connected together in a conventional snap-fit arrangement.

In this example, the second part 18b of the grip part 18 is provided with a flexible clip 35, which snaps into a correlating extruded slot 34 of the first part 18a, and a secondary smaller protruding clip 36, which sits into a further extruded slot 37. To provide additional securement, the second part 18b is also provided with two protrusions 39b, 39c which engage with corresponding formations in the first part 18a.

In order to prepare the handle assembly for use, a user may thus remove the second part 18b of the grip part 18, mount a bottle of hand-sanitiser 14 on the docking part 26, and then snap-fit the second part 18b back into place on the first part 18a of the grip part 18. Similarly, a user may replace an empty bottle of hand-sanitiser by removing the second part 18b of the grip part 18, removing the empty bottle 14 from the docking part 26, mounting a new bottle of hand-sanitiser 14 on the docking part 26, and snap-fitting the second part 18b back on the the first part 18a of the grip part 18.

The first 18a and second 18b parts of the grip part 18, may, alternatively form left and right sides of the grip part 18 respectively.

In this case, the side arms 16a and 16b of the attachment part 16 may also be split into left and right sides, the left and rights sides of the side arms 16a and 16b being integral with the first 18a and second 18b parts of the grip part respectively, and the mounting means by which the attachment part 16 is fixed to a door or the like being provided on the left side of the side arms 16a, 16b only.

To enable a user to determine when the vessel 14 needs replacing, an aperture 38 is provided in this grip part 18 adjacent the vessel 14. Thus, the user may look through the aperture 38 and see the level of fluid contained within the vessel 14.

It will be appreciated that whilst the handle assembly 10 may be designed such that, when the contents of the vessel of antibacterial liquid 14 is exhausted, the vessel 14 alone is replaced, the wicking part 24, docking part 26 may also be removable, and may be designed to be replaced along with the vessel 14. In this case, preferably the vessel 14, wicking part 24 and docking part 26 are designed to be removed together as a single unit and replaced with a new vessel 14, wicking part 24 and docking part 26 unit, engagement of the docking part 26 with its supports causing the vessel 14 to be opened and flow of fluid to the wicking part 24 to commence.

It should be appreciated that the invention is not restricted to use in relation to handles of the particular U-shaped configuration described above, and the required docking part and apertures may be provided in the grip part of any other configuration of handle.

Moreover, as illustrated in Figure 4, the invention can also be applied to a push- plate 40, for opening a door by pushing. The push-plate 40 is oval shaped, the attachment part 42 comprising an oval plate which includes screw holes by means of which the plate 42 may be attached to a door, and snap-fit formations which are adapted to engage with corresponding formations on the contact part 44. The contact part 44 is also oval and has sides which extend outwardly from the attachment plate 42, and a top portion which is generally flat, and which lies approximately parallel to the attachment plate 42. An aperture 46 is provided in the top portion of the contact part 44, the aperture 46 in this example being generally rectangular, and the wicking part 48, which comprises a generally rectangular pad, extends through the aperture 46 from the interior space of the contact part 44. The docking part (not shown) is configured as described above

in relation to the handle assembly 10, although it will be appreciated that, in order to fit inside the interior space provided by the contact part 44 of the push-plate 40, it would be necessary to use a different shape of vessel.

The invention is not, of course, restricted to use in hospitals, but may be used in any location in which improved hygiene standards are desired.

In an alternative embodiment of manually operable opening device, in addition to or instead of the use of a vessel of anti-bacterial liquid, the wicking part itself may be impregnated with an anti-bacterial or bactericidal agent, such as quaternary ammonium salts.

The opening device may be provided with an expiry date indicator which provides a signal to a user when the wicking part ought to be replaced in order to maintain hygiene standards. Such expiry date indicators are sold under the name Timestrip ^® , and may operate by means of the migration of a coloured liquid along a porous strip by capiliary action, the indicator being activated by breaking the seal on a container of the liquid when commencing use of the wicking part.

Referring to Figures 5 to 11 , there is shown a second embodiment of a handle assembly 50. The assembly 50 has upper and lower side arms 52, which are attached to a door (not shown) by passing screws (not shown) through screw holes 90. Each side arm 52 includes a cover plate 64,66, which clips on to its corresponding arm 52. The upper side arm 52 has mutually opposing extruded slots 70 in its internal walls, which receive correspondingly placed protruding arms 72 provided on each side of the cover plate 64. The upper side arm 52 further includes an extruded slot 74 at its uppermost rearwardly facing face, and the cover plate 64 includes a pronged flexible clip 76 extending from an uppermost forwardly facing face. The flexible clip 76 engages with the slot 74 to keep the cover 64 in place.

Although not shown in the Figures, the apparatus includes a key having protrusions, which mutually oppose the pronged flexible clip 76, which must be used in order to remove the cover 64. The key (not shown) is inserted in to the slot 74 and then levered such that the pronged clip 76 is disengaged from the slot 74 thereby allowing removal of the cover plate 64. The key therefore ensures that access to inside the side arm 52 is denied to undesirable parties should they wish to gain access to the interior. In addition, the side arm 52 includes another extruded slot 78 provided at its base into which a protruding butt 88 on the inside base of the cover 64 engages.

Hence, the attachment of the cover 64 to the upper side arm 52 has three fixing points provided by the engagement between the arms 72 engaging slots 70, the flexible clip 76 engaging with slot 74, and also the protruding butt 88 with the slot 78. These various fixing points ensure that the cover 64 is securely positioned when attached to the side arm 52. Similarly, the lower side arm 52 also has a number of slots which engage with the lower cover plate 66 to provide secure attachment therebetween. The lower front cover 66 is identical to the upper cover 64 except that it has a window 68 extending therethrough, by which a user can see into the lower side arm 52.

The assembly 50 includes a sintered highly porous stainless steel tube 56, which is placed in between and supported substantially vertically by the two side arms 52. The sintering process is carried out as follows. Porous stainless steel powder is first pressed into a suitable form under about 400 to 800 bars of pressure dependent on powder size, product form and dimension, as well as the degree of porosity that is to be achieved to form so-called "green part". This "green part" holds together, but needs to be sintered. This means it is put into a furnace under hydrogen atmosphere or a vacuum (dependent on material, size, etc), and then heated to almost its melting point such that the powder parts fuse or sinter together, ie almost melt together, but forming pores therebetween.

The dimension of the pores of the final sintered product is irregular. They exhibit a certain pore size, which is determined by the "bubble point test". This test measures the pressure that is required to release the first bubble from the surface of a porous material submerged in a liquid and pressurized from one side. This Bubble Point test is an industry standard for estimating the maximum pore size of a material, and will be well known to the skilled technician.. A test piece of porous material is submerged in a wetting fluid such as isopropyl alcohol, and a gas pressure is built up until a bubble forms and breaks away from the porous surface. The liquid selected for this testing must have good wetting characteristics with relatively low viscosity and surface tension, lsopropal Alcohol is normally selected as the test fluid.

The Bubble Point Test Method is detailed in ASTM Standard E-128 and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) test standard 4003. The bubble point test is based on Darcy's Law to correlate the measured bubble point pressure value to the calculated maximum pore size. This calculated maximum pore is then multiplied by a pore shape correction factor to estimate the filter rating, also known as the "Micron Grade".

Each industry can use a different shape correction factor, so there are differences in each manufacturer's specifications and bubble point ranges for assigning the "Micron Grade". Several different shape correction factors have been developed for calculating the maximum pore size values, depending on the type of porous material being tested since the nature of the pore changes for different materials. For example, a pore shape correction factor of 0.33 may be used for irregular shaped pores, whereas a correction factor of 0.25 might be used for more rounded pores.

The actual pore size on the surface, which is observed with a microscope, may vary greatly from the measured pore size due to the irregular shape of the pores. The distribution of pore size follows a Gaussian curve. The open area will be dependent on the pore size somewhere between 15% and 20%. Parts will show a

15 to 20% lighter density than standard SS316. Hence, the sintered metal tube 56 is smooth and very porous. The outer diameter of the tube 20.5mm and the porosity is 0.5 micron. The outside surface is extremely smooth to the touch. It will be appreciated that actual pore size is not an exact science. Porosity ratings are based on filtration properties of the sintered tube 54 and not the physical measurement of the pore. It would be difficult to hold to an upper and lower specification as well as a bubble point or filtration grade. Hence, according to ISO 4003, the bubble point range that is used, a pore size range of 6-10 microns for a 0.5 micron rated porous media is achieved.

The sintered porous metal tube 54 is cylindrical in shape, and hollow having a lumen therein, and is supported between the two side arms 52. The tube 54 is supported in a vertical orientation by hollow protrusions 84 which extend out of a lower region of the upper side arm 52 and an upper region of the lower side arm 52. A cylindrical foam insert 56 is sized to fit tightly inside the lumen of the sintered tube 54 such that the outer surface of the insert 56 abuts the inner surface of the tube 54 forming a connection therebetween.

As shown in Figure 5, the assembly 50 includes a bottle 58 containing antibacterial fluid 59 (or a perfume), which fits inside the lower side arm 52. As shown in the figures, the lower side arm 52 includes a seat 82 on which the bottle 58 is supported. The neck of the bottle 58 is surrounded by an 'o'-ring 62, which allows sealing engagement with the inside of the hollow protrusion 84 of the lower side arm 52. The 'o'-ring 62 prevents leakage.

The bottle 58 includes an elongate foam wick 60, which extends from the base of the bottle 58, so that it is at least partially immersed in the fluid 59, up through the hollow protrusion 84 until it contacts the base of the foam insert 56 inside the sintered tube 54. The foam wick 60 acts as a wick for drawing up the fluid from the bottle 58, into the foam insert 56 of the tube 54, and ultimately to the external surface of the tube 54 through pores therein formed by the sintering process. The

lower front cover 66 has an extruded window 68, which allows a user to monitor the level of fluid 59 contained within the bottle 58 such that when the level drops below a certain point, the user knows that it is time to refill it. This is easily carried out by removing the cover 66, and then the bottle 58 from the lower side arm 52, and replacing with a new bottle and/oradding more fluid 59 thereto, and then replacing.

The door handle assembly 50 is used as follows. Firstly, a user fixes the lower side arm 52 to the door by passing screws through screw holes 90. The porous sintered metal tube 54 is positioned vertically over the hollow protrusion 84 of the lower side arm 52. The foam insert 56 is then slid down in to the lumen of the tube 54. The hollow protrusion 84 of the upper side arm 52 is then urged into the central lumen of the metal tube 54, and then fixed to the door. The front cover 64 is clipped in to place over the upper side arm 52.

The bottle 58 is then filled with antibacterial fluid 59, and the foam wick 60 is then inserted therein so that it extends down into the bottom thereof. The bottle 58 is then positioned inside the lower side arm 52 such that the o-ring 62 seals the top of the bottle 58 inside the hollow protrusion 84, and the base of the bottle rests on the seat 82. The lower cover 66 is then clipped on to the lower side arm 52 thereby encasing the bottle 58.

It will be appreciated that in use, then fluid 59 wicks up from the bottle 58 along the foam wick 60, through the foam insert 56. The saturated insert 56 releases fluid though the numerous pores in the sintered tube 54 on to the outer surface thereof. As a user grips the tube 54, his palm contacts the outer surface of the tube 54, which thereby transfers a fine coating of fluid 59 thereto. As the user removes his hand, more fluid 59 quickly re-saturates the pores immediately after fluid 59 has been removed therefrom thereby replacing the fluid 59 that was

removed by the previous user, and providing a full coating of fluid 59 to the outer surface of the tube 54.

Advantages of the door handle assembly 50 are that it provides an efficient apparatus for repeated hygienically opening and closing a door. The bottle 58 is supported underneath the sintered tube 54, so that antibacterial fluid is drawn up therefrom by a wicking action along the foam wick 60, up into the foam insert 56, and eventually through the pores to totally cover the tube 54. The assembly does not rely on gravity for fluid to coat the tube 54. This ensures that fluid 59 cannot leak out of the bottle 58, and also that excessive fluid 59 cannot cover the tube 54. Hence, only the required amount of fluid 59 is used to cover the outer surface of the tube 54 when required due to the wicking action. This prevents excessive fluid wastage and dripping/leakage form the handle.

The sintered tube 54 includes numerous tiny pores or apertures through which the fluid flows on to the surface of the tube 54. The pores are provided very close together. This ensures full coverage of the outer surface of the tube with antibacterial fluid, and guarantees that a user of the assembly 50 will always be gripping a tube 54 which is fully covered in antibacterial fluid 59, ie there is always 100% coverage of the palm of the hand with fluid. Furthermore, the sintering process provides a series of pores which are on the same plane as the tube 54 such that skin cells from the user's hand are not pulled off on to the tube thereby causing blockage. However, the size, number and density of pores ensures that should any grit or dirt happen to block any or the pores, then there is a sufficient number of pores to ensure that fluid still is able to pass through on to the surface of the tube 54 to form a complete coating.

The foam inserts 56,60 are removable and may be easily replaced if necessary. Furthermore, the window 66 allows the user to monitor usage of the fluid 59 so

that it may be replaced or re-filled when required before it is completely expired. The window 66 therefore provides a very useful fluid level indicator.

When used in this specification and claims, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.