Handles, especially handles for use in toilets, washrooms, kitchens and the like, often constitute a hygiene risk owing to the fact that they are liable to contamination, and contaminants such as harmful bacteria can be passed on to one or more subsequent users.

The invention provides a self-disinfecting device which, in use, is contacted by a hand, including: a first member presenting an outer surface that, in use, is contacted by the hand, the first member having a body that is at least partially pervious; and a base member in contact with the first member, wherein: the base member, in the use of the device, carries a disinfecting agent, and the disinfecting agent passes from the base member to the outer surface of the first member through the body of the first member.

The self-disinfecting device enables a disinfecting agent carried by the base member to pass through the first member, thereby disinfecting the part of the device that, in use, is touched by the user. The device is therefore self-disinfecting.

The disinfecting agent carried by the base member may pass from the interior of the handle to the exterior of the handle in a number of ways. The first member may be of a porous construction, for example the first member may be made of a ceramic material such as fired clay, a porous plastics material or porous metal. Disinfecting agent may pass through the first member by a capillary action.

Further, the surface tension of the disinfecting agent may be such that it spreads around the entire surface of the first member, such that the disinfecting agent spreads from the interior of the device to the exterior of the device.

The disinfecting agent may also spread from the interior of the device to the exterior by a vapour action. Of course, a combination of two or more of the above-mentioned methods is possible.

The first member may comprise a plurality of member portions. At least some of that plurality of member portions may be rollers. In use, rollers contacted by the hand tend to rotate and, since the rollers are in contact with the base member that is carrying the disinfecting agent, disinfecting agent is wiped on to the surfaces of the rollers such that the rollers are disinfected. Thus, when a roller rotates, the portion of the roller that is contactable by the hand has been disinfected by being in contact with the base member. Thus, the disinfecting agent is able to pass from the interior of the device to the exterior of the device both through the at least partially pervious body of the rollers and also as a result of the rotation of the rollers.

A plurality of intermediate members may be provided lying between the member portions.

A plurality of ribs, belonging to the support means, may be provided lying between the member portions.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the base member is a mat. That mat may have a rectangular periphery. If the self-disinfecting device including rollers, and if the mat has a rectangular periphery, the axes of rotation of the rollers may be skewed in relation to the side of the rectangle.

The self-disinfecting device may further comprise a support means so supporting the base member and the first member as to permit contact with the first member by the hand. If the base member is a mat, the support means may be so shaped as to support the mat form of the base member.

The base member may have a hollow cylindrical form and the self-disinfecting device may further comprise a shaft extending into the hollow of the hollow cylindrical base member, wherein the shaft supports the base member and the first member so as to permit contact with the first member by the hand.

The base member may be resilient, for example the base member may be made of a spongy material If the device include ribs and the first member includes one or more rollers, the ribs may be so contoured as to

include curved peripheries corresponding to the curvature of the rollers.

The present invention also provides a self-disinfecting device which, in use, is contacted by a hand, including: a plurality of rollers, a resilient base member having a hollow cylindrical form and being in contact with the plurality of rollers and a shaft extending into the hollow of the hollow cylindrical base member, the shaft supporting the resilient base member and the plurality of rollers so as to permit contact with the rollers by a hand and rotation of the rollers in contact with the resilient base member, the resilient base member, in the use of the device, carrying a disinfecting agent for transfer to the rollers as they rotate in contact with the resilient base member.

In use, the rollers of the self-disinfecting device are contacted by a hand of the user and, as a result, the rollers tend to rotate. Since the rollers are in contact with the base member that is carrying the disinfecting agent, disinfecting agent is wiped on to the surfaces of the rollers such that the rollers are disinfected. Thus, when a roller rotates, the portion of the roller that is contactable by the hand has been disinfected by the disinfecting agent. Thus, the device is self-disinfecting.

A plurality of intermediate members lying between the rollers may be provided. Alternatively, a plurality of ribs, belonging to the support means, lying between the rollers may be provided.

If the device include ribs, the ribs may be so contoured as to include curved peripheries corresponding to the curvature of the rollers. The ribs may be made of a plastics material.

The resilient base member may be made of a spongy material.

The rollers may be made of a plastics material, for example, they may be acetal rollers.

The rollers may have a body that is at least partially pervious, such that the disinfecting agent passes from the base member to the outer surface of the first member through the body of the rollers. Thus, the disinfecting agent is able to pass from the interior of the device to the exterior of the device both through the at least partially pervious body of the rollers and also as a result of the rotation of the rollers.

If the rollers are at least partially pervious, this may be achieved in a number of ways. The rollers may have a porous construction, for example the rollers may be made of a ceramic material such as fired clay, a porous plastics material or porous metal. Disinfecting agent may pass through the rollers by a capillary action. Further, the surface tension of the disinfecting agent may be such that it spreads around the entire surface of the rollers, such that the disinfecting agent spreads from the interior of the handle to the exterior of the handle. The disinfecting agent may also spread from the interior of the device to the exterior by a vapour action. Of course, a combination of two or more of the above-mentioned methods is possible.

The self-disinfecting device may include an end cap having clip means which engage the shaft. Providing such an end cap enables the device to be refilled with disinfecting agent.

The self-disinfecting device may be a handle, such as a door-lock handle, a door pull-handle, or a cistern handle.

Several self-disinfecting devices in accordance with the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 represents a longitudinal cross-section of a pull-handle, for a door, including a self-disinfecting device in accordance with the invention; Fig. 2 represents an end-on view of the right-hand end, as viewed in the drawing, of the pull-handle of Fig. 1 without an outer end cap; Fig. 3 represents a view from the right-hand end, as viewed in the drawing, of the pull-handle of Fig. 1 with the outer end cap; Fig. 4 represents a longitudinal cross-section of a pull-handle, for a door, including a self-disinfecting device in accordance with the invention; Fig. 5 represents an end-on view of the right-hand end, as viewed in the drawing,, of the pull-handle of Fig. 4 without an outer end cap; Fig. 6 represents an end-on view of the right-hand end, as viewed in the drawing, of a variant of the pull- handle of Fig. 4, without an outer end cap;

Fig. 7 represents a longitudinal cross-section of a handle, for a door-lock, including a self-disinfecting device in accordance with the invention; Fig. 8 represents an end-on view of the right-hand end, as viewed in the drawing, of the handle of Fig. 7 without an outer end cap; Fig. 9 represents a view from the right-hand end, as viewed in the drawing, of the handle of Fig. 7 with the outer end cap; Fig. 10 represents a longitudinal cross-section of a pull-handle, for a door-lock, including a self-disinfecting device in accordance with the invention; Fig. 11 represents an end-on view of the right-hand end, as viewed in the drawing, of the handle of Fig. 10 without an outer end cap; Fig. 12 represents an end-on view of the right-hand end, as viewed in the drawing, of a variant of the handle of Fig. 10, without an outer end cap; Fig. 13 represents a longitudinal cross-section of a flush-lever handle, for a cistern, including a self- disinfecting device in accordance with the invention; Fig. 14 represents an end-on view of the right-hand end, as viewed in the drawing, of the flush-lever handle of Fig. 13 without the outer end cap; Fig. 15 represents a view from the right-hand end, as viewed in the drawing, of the flush-lever handle of Fig. 13 with the outer end cap; Fig. 16 represents a longitudinal cross-section of a flush-lever handle, for a cistern, including a self- disinfecting device in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 17 represents an end-on view of the right-hand end, as viewed in the drawing, of the flush-lever handle of Fig. 16 without the outer end cap; Fig. 18 represents an end-on view of the right-hand end, as viewed in the drawing, of a variant of the flush- lever handle of Fig. 16, without an outer end cap; Fig. 19 represents a plan view of a rectangular push- plate, for a door, including a self-disinfecting device in accordance with the invention; Fig. 20 represents a longitudinal cross-section of the push-plate of Fig. 19; Fig. 21 represents a part exploded perspective view of the door-lock handle of Fig. 7; Fig. 22 is an enlarged representation of Fig. 8; and Fig. 23 is an enlarged representation of the right- hand end, as viewed in the drawing, of Fig. 7.

Figures 1 to 3 show a pull-handle, for a door, in accordance with the present invention. The pull-handle includes a plurality of cylindrical rollers lla, llb... lln, a resilient hollow-cylindrical base member 22 in contact with the rollers lla, llb... lln and a cylindrical support shaft 33, in the hollow of the hollow-cylindrical base member 22, supporting the resilient base member 22. The resilient base member 22 carries a disinfecting agent, such as a biocide gel.

The rollers lla, llb... lln are supported in end support members 5 and 6 which are attached by screws to the ends of intermediate members 44a, 44b... 44n forming a part of a support frame. The end support members 5,6 are attachable,

by screws, to a door for attaching the pull-handle to a door.

The cylindrical rollers lla, llb... lln are injection moulded acetal rollers which are supported by integral axial pins which fit into apertures in the end support members 5 and 6. The rollers lla, llb... lln are free to rotate with their support pins and the contact between the resilient base member 22 and the rollers lla, llb... lln results in the resilient base member 22 applying disinfecting agent to the surfaces of the rollers lla, llb... lln as they rotate. The axes of the rollers lla, llb... lln lie parallel to the axis of the hollow-cylindrical base member 22 and the cylindrical support shaft 33.

The intermediate members 44a, 44b... 44n have a transverse cross-section that is substantially a truncated equilateral triangle so contoured as to include, adjacent to the rollers lla, llb... lln, curved peripheries matching the curved peripheries of the rollers lla, llb... lln and convex outer surfaces matching the curvature of the door handle.

The intermediate members 44a, 44b... 44n include end cavities for receiving screws for securing the end support members 5,6 to the body of the pull-handle.

In use, the end support members 5 and 6 are attached, by screws, to a surface of a door at a comfortable level for pulling on the door. A pulling force exerted by a hand on the pull-handle in a direction tending to rotate the rollers lla, llb... lln serves to rotate at least some of the rollers lla, llb... lln. As rollers rotate, a disinfecting agent on the surface of the resilient base member 22 is

wiped on to the surfaces of the rotating rollers and, as a result, the rollers are disinfected and the pull-handle is self-disinfecting.

Figures 4 and 5 show another pull-handle, for a door, in accordance with the present invention. The pull-handle of Figures 4 and 5 is similar to the pull-handle of Figures 1 to 3 and includes a plurality of cylindrical rollers 12a', 12b'... 12n', a resilient hollow-cylindrical base member 22' in contact with the rollers 12a', 12b'... 12n' and a cylindrical support shaft 33', in the hollow of the hollow- cylindrical base member 22', supporting the resilient base member 22'. The base member 22'carries a disinfecting agent, such as a biocide gel.

The rollers 12a', 12b'... 12n'are supported in end support members 5'and 6'which are attached by screws to the ends of intermediate members 44a', 44b'... 44n'forming a part of a support frame. The end support members 5', 6'are attachable, by screws, to a door for attaching the pull- handle to a door.

The cylindrical rollers 12a', 12b'... 12n' are made of a porous material and are supported by integral axial pins which fit into apertures in the end support members 5'and 6'. The rollers 12a', 12b'... 12n are free to rotate with their support pins. The axes of the rollers 12a', 12b'... 12n' lie parallel to the axis of the hollow-cylindrical base member 22'and the cylindrical support shaft 33'. Contact between the resilient base member 22'and the rollers 12a', 12b'... 12n' results in the resilient base member 22'applying

a disinfecting agent to the surfaces of the rollers 12a', 12b'... 12n' as they rotate.

The intermediate members 44a', 44b'... 44n' have a transverse cross-section that is substantially a truncated equilateral triangle so contoured as to include, adjacent to the rollers 12a', 12b'... 12n', curved peripheries matching the curved peripheries of the rollers 12a', 12b'... 12n'and convex outer surfaces matching the curvature of the door handle.

The intermediate members 44a', 44b'... 44n' include end cavities for receiving screws for securing the end support members 5', 6'to the body of the pull-handle.

The disinfecting agent carried by the resilient base member 22'can pass from the resilient base member 22'to the exterior of the handle through the porous rollers, as a result of the rollers being rotated, or by a combination of both mechanisms.

In use, the end support members 5'and 6'are attached, by screws, to a surface of a door at a comfortable level for pulling on the door. A pulling force exerted by a hand on the pull-handle in a direction tending to rotate the rollers 12a', 12b'... 12n' serves to rotate at least some of the rollers 12a', 12b'... 12n'. As rollers rotate, a disinfecting agent on the surface of the resilient base member 22'is wiped on to the surfaces of the rotating rollers and, as a result, the rollers are disinfected and the pull-handle is self-disinfecting. In addition, disinfecting agent passes through the porous rollers 12a', 12b'... 12n' to disinfect the rollers, thereby providing an

additional means by which the pull-handle is self- disinfecting.

Figure 6 represents an end-on view of the right-hand end, as viewed in the drawing, of a variant of the pull-handle of Figures 4 and 5, without an outer end cap. The pull- handle of Figure 6 includes a hollow-cylindrical handle member 12'', a hollow-cylindrical base member 22''in the hollow of the handle member 12'', and a cylindrical support shaft 33'', in the hollow of the base member 22'', supporting the base member 22''and the handle member 12''.

Base member 22''carries a disinfecting agent, such as a biocide gel. Handle member 12''is made of a porous material. The disinfecting agent passes through the handle member 12''to the exterior of the handle. As a result, the handle is self-disinfecting.

The handle of Figure 6 is used in substantially the same manner as the handle of Figures 4 and 5. The difference is that whereas the handle of Figures 4 and 5 is self- disinfecting by two methods, the handle of Figure 6 is self-disinfecting by means of a disinfecting agent passing through the porous handle member 12''only.

The shaft 33''of the handle of Figure 6 may be omitted and the hollow-cylindrical base member 22''replaced with a cylindrical base member that is not hollow.

Figures 7 to 9 show a handle, for a door-lock, in accordance with the present invention. The handle includes a plurality of cylindrical rollers llla, lllb... llln, a

resilient hollow-cylindrical base member 222 in contact with the rollers llla, lllb... llln and a cylindrical support shaft 333 in the hollow of the hollow-cylindrical base member 222 supporting the resilient base member 222. A plurality of intermediate members 444a, 444b... 444n lie between the rollers llla, lllb... llln. The base member 222 caries a disinfecting agent, such as a biocide gel.

An end support member 7 supports one end of the rollers llla, lllb... llln and the shaft 333 while the shaft 333 supports the resilient base member 222. An end support member 8 supports the other end of the rollers llla, lllb... llln. The intermediate members 444a, 444b... 444n are integral with the end support member 7 and form a part of a support frame. The end support member 8 is attached by screws to the intermediate members 444a, 444b... 444n. The end support member 7 is rotatably attached to an attachment member 9 attachable, by screws, to a door. The end support member 7 includes an aperture for receiving the operating shaft of a door lock and, when the handle is fitted to a door lock operable by twisting the operating shaft, the door lock is operated by pushing on the handle to rotate the operating shaft of the door lock.

The intermediate members 444a, 444b... 444n have a transverse cross-section that is substantially a truncated equilateral triangle so contoured as to include, adjacent to the rollers llla, lllb... llln, curved peripheries matching the curved peripheries of the rollers llla, lllb... llln and convex outer surfaces matching the curvature of the door handle. The intermediate members 444a, 444b... 444n include

end cavities for receiving screws for securing the end support member 8 to the body of the door handle.

Rollers llla, lllb... llln are injection moulded acetal rollers which are free to rotate with their support pins which are integral with the rollers llla, lllb... llln. The axes of the rollers llla, lllb... llln lie parallel to the axis of the hollow-cylindrical base member 222 and the cylindrical support shaft 333. Contact between the rollers llla, lllb... lln and the resilient base member 222 results in the resilient base member 222 applying disinfecting agent to the surfaces of the rollers llla, lllb... llln as they rotate.

In use, the attachment member 9 is attached, by screws, to a surface of a door at a level at which the end support member 7 receives the operating shaft of a lock attached to the door. A force exerted by a hand on the handle in a sense tending to rotate the rollers llla, lllb... llln, usually in operating the door lock, serves to rotate at least some of the rollers llla, lllb... llln. As rollers rotate, a disinfecting agent on the surface of the resilient base member 222 is wiped on to the surfaces of the rotating rollers and, as a result, the rollers are disinfected and the handle is self-disinfecting.

Figures 10 and 11 show an alternative handle, for a door- lock, in accordance with the present invention. The handle of Figures 10 and 11 is similar to the handle of Figures 7 to 9 and includes a plurality of cylindrical rollers, 112a', 112b'... 112n', a resilient hollow-cylindrical base member 222'in contact with the rollers 112a', 112b'... 112n'

and a cylindrical support shaft 333', in the hollow of the hollow-cylindrical base member 222', supporting the resilient base member 222'. The base member 222 carries a disinfecting agent, such as a biocide gel.

An end support member 7'supports one end of the rollers 112a', 112b'... 112n' and the shaft 333'while the shaft 333' supports the resilient base member 222'. An end support member 8'supports the other end of the rollers 112a', 112b'... 112n'. The intermediate members 444a', 444b'... 444n' are integral with the end support member 7'and form a part of a support frame. The end support member 8'is attached by screws to the intermediate members 444a', 444b'... 444n'.

The end support member 7'is rotatably attached to an attachment member 9'attachable, by screws, to a door. The end support member 7'includes an aperture for receiving the operating shaft of a door lock and, when the handle is fitted to a door lock operable by twisting the operating shaft, the door lock is operated by pushing on the handle to rotate the operating shaft of the door lock.

The intermediate members 444a', 444b'... 444n'have a transverse cross-section that is substantially a truncated equilateral triangle so contoured as to include, adjacent to the rollers 112a', 112b'... 112n', curved peripheries matching the curved peripheries of the rollers 112a', 112b'... 112n'and convex outer surfaces matching the curvature of the door handle. The intermediate members 444a', 444b'... 444n' include end cavities for receiving screws for securing the end support member 8'to the body of the door handle.

The rollers 112a', 112b'... 112n' are made of a porous material, and are free to rotate with their support pins which are integral with the rollers 112a', 112b'... 112n'.

The axes of the rollers 112a', 112b'... 112n' lie parallel to the axis of the hollow-cylindrical base member 222'and the cylindrical support shaft 333'. Contact between the rollers 112a', 112b'... 112n and the resilient base member 222'results in the resilient base member 222'applying disinfecting agent to the surfaces of the rollers 112a', 112b'... 112n'as they rotate.

The disinfecting agent carried by the resilient base member 222'can pass from the resilient base member 222'to the exterior of the handle through the porous rollers, as a result of the rollers being rotated, or by a combination of both mechanisms.

In use, the attachment member 9'is attached, by screws, to a surface of a door at a level at which the end support member 7'receives the operating shaft of a lock attached to the door. A force exerted by a hand on the handle in a sense tending to rotate the rollers 112a', 112b'... 112n', usually in operating the door lock, serves to rotate at least some of the rollers 112a', 112b'... 112n'. As rollers rotate, a disinfecting agent on the surface of the resilient base member 222 is wiped on to the surfaces of the rotating rollers and, as a result, the rollers are disinfected and the handle is self-disinfecting. In addition, disinfecting agent passes through the porous rollers 112a', 112b'... 112n' to disinfect the rollers, thereby providing an additional means by which the handle is self-disinfecting.

Figure 12 represents an end-on view of the right-hand end, as viewed in the drawing, of a variant of the handle of Figures 10 and 11, without an end cap. The handle of Figure 12 includes a hollow-cylindrical handle member 112', a hollow-cylindrical base member 22211 ion the hollow of the handle member 112'', and a cylindrical support shaft 333', in the hollow of the base member 222'', supporting the base member 222''and the handle member 112''.

Base member 222''carries a disinfecting agent, such as a biocide gel. Handle member 112''is made of a porous material and the disinfecting agent passes through the handle member 112''to the exterior of the handle. As a result, the handle is self-disinfecting.

The handle of Figure 12 is used in substantially the same manner as the handle of Figures 10 and 11. The difference is that whereas the handle of Figures 10 and 11 is self- disinfecting by two methods, the handle of Figure 12 is self-disinfecting by means of a disinfecting agent passing through the porous handle member 112''only.

The shaft 333''of the handle of Figure 12 may be omitted and the hollow-cylindrical base member 222''replaced with a cylindrical base member that is not hollow.

Figures 13 to 15 show a handle, for a flush-lever, of a cistern, in accordance with the present invention. The handle includes, as in Figs. 7 to 9, the plurality of cylindrical rollers llla, lllb... llln, the resilient hollow- cylindrical base member 222 in contact with the rollers

llla, lllb... llln and the cylindrical support shaft 333 in the hollow of the hollow-cylindrical base member 222 supporting the resilient base member 222. The plurality of intermediate members 444a, 444b... 444n lie between the rollers llla, lllb... llln. As in the handle of Figures 7 to 9, the resilient base member 222 carries a disinfecting agent, such as a biocide gel.

An end support member 10 supports one end of rollers llla, lllb... llln and the shaft 333 while the shaft 333 supports the resilient base member 222. The end support member 8 supports the other end of the rollers llla, lllb... llln and is attached to the intermediate members 444a, 444b... 444n.

The end support member 10 is rotatably attached to an attachment member 12 enabling attachment to a cistern. The end support member 10 includes an aperture for receiving the operating shaft of a cistern and, when the handle is fitted to a cistern operable by twisting the operating shaft, the cistern is operated by pushing on the handle to rotate the operating shaft of the cistern.

Other details given above in respect of components of Figs.

7 to 9 are the same for those components when present in Figs. 13 to 15.

Figures 16 and 17 show an alternative handle, for a flush- lever, in accordance with the present invention. The handle of Figures 16 and 17 is similar to the handle of Figures 13 to 15 and includes a plurality of cylindrical rollers 112a', 112b'... 112n', a resilient hollow-cylindrical base member 222'in contact with the rollers 112a', 112b'... 112n' and a cylindrical support shaft 333', in the

hollow of the hollow-cylindrical base member 222', supporting the resilient base member 222'. The base member 222'carries a disinfecting agent, such as a biocide gel.

An end support member 10'supports one end of the cylindrical rollers 112a', 112b'... 112n', handle member 112' and the shaft 333'while the shaft 333'supports the resilient base member 222'. A second end support member 8' supports the other end of cylindrical rollers 112a', 112b'... 112n'. The end support member 10'is rotatably attached to an attachment member 12'enabling attachment to a cistern. The end support member 10'includes an aperture for receiving the operating shaft of a cistern and, when the handle is fitted to a cistern operable by twisting the operating shaft, the cistern is operated by pushing on the handle to rotate the operating shaft of the cistern.

The cylindrical rollers 112a', 112b'... 112n' are made of a porous material and are supported by integral axial pins which fit into apertures in the end of the support members.

The rollers 112a', 112b'... 112n' are free to rotate with their support pins and the axes of the rollers 112a', 112b'... 112n'lie parallel to the axis of the hollow- cylindrical base member 222'and the cylindrical support shaft 333'. Contact between the resilient base member 222' and the rollers 112a', 112b'... 112n' results in the resilient base member 222'applying a disinfecting agent to the surfaces of the rollers 112a', 112b'... 112n' as they rotate.

The disinfecting agent carried by the resilient base member 22'passes through the porous material of the rollers 12a', 12b'... 12n' such that the disinfecting agent can pass from

the resilient base member 22'to the exterior of the handle through the porous rollers, as a result of the rollers being rotated, or by a combination of both mechanisms.

Other details given above in respect of Figures 10 and 11 apply to the components when present in Figures 16 and 17.

Figure 18 represents an end-on view of the right-hand end, as viewed in the drawing, of a variant of the pull-handle of Figures 16 and 17, without an outer end cap. The handle of Figure 18 includes a hollow-cylindrical handle member 112'', a hollow-cylindrical base member 222''in the hollow of the handle member 112'', and a cylindrical support shaft 333'', in the hollow of the base member 222'', supporting the base member 222''and the handle member 112''.

Base member 222'carries a disinfecting agent, such as a biocide gel. Handle member 112''is made of a porous material and the disinfecting agent passes through the handle member 112''to the exterior of the handle. As a result, the handle is self-disinfecting.

The handle of Figure 18 is used in substantially the same manner as the handle of Figures 16 and 17. The difference is that whereas the handle of Figures 16 and 17 is self- disinfecting by two methods, the handle of Figure 18 is self-disinfecting by means of a disinfecting agent passing through the porous handle member 112''only.

The shaft 333''of the handle of Figure 18 may be omitted and the hollow-cylindrical base member 222''replaced with a cylindrical base member that is not hollow.

Figures 19 and 20 show a push-plate, for a door, in accordance with the present invention. The push-plate includes a plurality of cylindrical rollers la, lb... ln, a resilient base member 2 in contact with the rollers la, lb... ln and a rectangular support frame 3 supporting the resilient base member 2 and the rollers la, lb... ln. A plurality of intermediate members, in the form of ribs 4a, 4b... 4n which are a part of the rectangular support frame 3, lie between the rollers la, lb... ln.

The resilient base member 2 has the form of a mat, is spongy and, as a result, is capable of carrying a disinfecting agent by absorbing the disinfecting agent in addition to carrying the disinfecting agent on its surface.

The cylindrical rollers la, lb... ln are supported by axial end pins, integral with the rollers la, lb... ln, which fit into apertures along the longer sides of the rectangular support frame 3 and the axes of the rollers la, lb... ln are skewed in relation to the sides of the rectangular support frame 3. The rollers la, lb... ln are free to rotate with their support pins and the contact between the resilient base member 2 and the rollers la, lb... ln results in the resilient base member 2 applying disinfecting agent to the surfaces of the rollers la, lb... ln as they rotate.

In use, the support frame 3 of the push-plate is attached, by screws, to a surface of a door at a level at which a hand contacts the door in order to push on the door. A force exerted by a hand on the push-plate in a direction tending to rotate the rollers la, lb... ln serves to rotate at

least some of the rollers la, lb... ln. As rollers rotate, a disinfecting agent on the surface of the resilient base member 2 is wiped on to the surfaces of the rotating rollers and, as a result, the rollers are disinfected and the push-plate is self-disinfecting.

Rollers la, lb... ln are made of a porous material and the disinfectant agent carried by the base member 2 passes through the rollers la, lb... ln to the exterior of the pull- handle. As a result, the pull-handle is self-disinfecting by disinfectant passing through the porous rollers and also by the rollers being rotated.

The rollers la, lb... ln of the push plate of Figures 19 and 20 may be replaced by a plurality of handle members 14a, 14b... 14n (not shown) that do not rotate. In the same way as the rollers la, lb... ln, each of the handle members 14a, 14b... 14n is porous such that a disinfecting agent carried on the base member 2 passes through the handle members 14a, 14b... 14n to the exteriors of the handle members.

In a further alternative, the handle members 13a, 13b... 13n are replaced by a single porous handle member 15 (not shown) that covers a substantial part, or all, of the area of the push plate that is contacted by the hand.

Fig. 21 shows, in a part-exploded perspective view, the handle of Figs. 7 to 9 including the plurality of cylindrical rollers llla, lllb... llln, the resilient hollow- cylindrical base member 222 in contact with the rollers llla, lllb... llln and the cylindrical support shaft 333 in the hollow of the hollow-cylindrical base member 222

supporting the resilient base member 222. Also shown are the rollers llla, lllb... llln, the plurality of intermediate members 444a, 444b... 444n lying between the rollers llla, lllb... llln, the end support member 7 and the end support member 8.

Referring to Fig. 22 of the accompanying drawings, an enlarged representation of Fig. 8 shows the cylindrical support shaft 333 around which lies the hollow cylindrical base member 222. Rollers llla, lllb... llln lie in contact with the base member 222 and intermediate members 444a, 444b... 444n alternate with the rollers llla, lllb... llln. The intermediate members 444a, 444b... 444n belong to the support frame which supports the rollers llla, lllb... llln.

The intermediate members 444a, 444b... 444n have a transverse cross-section that is substantially a truncated equilateral triangle so contoured as to include, adjacent to the rollers llla, lllb... llln, curved peripheries matching the curved peripheries of the rollers llla, lllb... llln and convex outer surfaces matching the curvature of the door handle. The intermediate members 444a, 444b... 444n include end cavities for receiving screws for securing the end support member of the door handle to the body of the door handle. The end support member 8 includes an inner part and an outer cap.

Referring to Fig. 23 of the accompanying drawings, an enlarged representation of the free end of Fig. 7 shows a roller llln, the base member 222, the support shaft 333 and an intermediate member 444n. As is seen in Fig. 23, the roller llln includes a reduced-diameter end portion serving

as a mounting pin 13 for the roller llln, the mounting pin 13 being supported in a cavity in the inner part 14 of the end support member 8 of the door handle. The inner part 14 of the end support member 8 is secured to the intermediate members by screws and an outer cap 15 of the end support member 8 is held to the support shaft 333 by a plurality of resilient clip members 16a, 16b which engage an enlargement 17 at the end of the support shaft 333. The enlargement 17 at the end of the shaft 333 has a cylindrical base portion topped by a truncated conical portion, the sides of the truncated conical portion of the enlargement 17 being level with two apertures 18,19 in the outer cap 15 of the end support member 8. The shape of the enlargement 17 at the end of the support shaft 333 and the position of the enlargement 17 in relation to the apertures 18,19 serves to permit the resilient clip members 16a, 16b to be lifted off the enlargement 17. The resilient clip members 16a, 16b are lifted off the enlargement 17 by inserting a two- pronged tool into the apertures 16a, 16b. By means of the tool, which pushes the clip members 16a, 16b away from the enlargement 17 as the prongs 20a, 20b slide along the enlargement 17, the outer cap 15 of the end support member 8 is unclipped. The outer end cap 15 is welded to the remainder of the roller support assembly and controls the removal of the roller support assembly for replacing the base member.

In Fig. 23, the hatched outlines of the clip members 16a, 16b represent the clip members 16a, 16b in the engaged positions on the support shaft 333 while the clear outlines represent the clip members 16a, 16b in the released position. The clip-on outer cap 15 serves to reduce the

chances of the handle being dismantled by persons not authorised to do so.

In the above embodiments including a hollow cylindrical handle member, the disinfecting agent passes from the interior of the hollow cylindrical handle member to the exterior of the hollow cylindrical handle member through the body of the hollow cylindrical handle member, thereby disinfecting the exterior of the handle member which is handled. Thus, the body of the hollow cylindrical handle member is such that the disinfecting agent penetrates the hollow cylindrical handle member from its interior to its exterior, indicating the existence of a plurality of passages between the interior and the exterior of the body of the hollow cylindrical handle member. The plurality of passages make the body of the hollow cylindrical handle member pervious to the disinfecting agent. The passages may take the form of pores, that is, minute interstices through which the disinfecting agent passes, providing a porous body for the hollow cylindrical handle member. The pores may be small enough for the disinfecting agent to fill them by capillary action. Similar passages may be provided in the push plate embodiment of the invention described with reference to Figures 19 and 20.

In the above embodiments having a member including a plurality of rollers, the disinfecting agent passes from the base member through a roller when its body is pervious to the disinfecting agent, to reach a surface of the member which is handled. Alternatively or additionally, the disinfecting agent reaches a surface of a roller which is handled when the roller is rotated. The passages making the

body of a roller pervious to the disinfecting agent may take the form of pores, making the body of the roller porous.

The porous handle members may be so formed from particulate material as to include pores through which the disinfecting agent can pass. The pores may range in size from being small enough to absorb the disinfecting agent by at least some capillary action to being somewhat larger. In any case, the pores should not be so large as to permit the formation of drops or droplets of the disinfecting agent on the handle members. The porous handle members may be fabricated by partially, but not completely, fusing particles of a plastics material together in the shape of a handle member. Alternatively, the porous handle members may be particulate ceramic material having a porous structure resulting from, for example, a sintering process. Suitable plastics materials include acetal and suitable porous materials include fired clay, porous plastics and porous metals.

As discussed above, a number of embodiments of the invention allow disinfecting agent to pass through the handle, thereby disinfecting the exterior of the handle.

As noted above, this may be achieved by providing a porous handle, but there are other possibilities. For example, the disinfecting agent may pass from the interior to the exterior of the handle by a capillary action. Further, the surface tension of the disinfecting agent may be such that it spreads around the entire surface of the handle member, such that the disinfecting agent spreads from the interior of the handle to the exterior of the handle, such as by the

spreading of a mono-layer of the disinfecting agent over the entire surface of the handle. The disinfecting agent may also spread from the interior of the handle to the exterior by a vapour action, for example, a chlorine-base microclimate may be present within the interior of the handle with vapour from this microclimate tending to seep from the interior of the handle to cover the exterior of the handle.

Self-disinfecting devices in accordance with the invention are especially suitable for inclusion in door push-plates, door-lock handles and handles on other fixtures in the vicinity of washrooms or areas where hygiene is especially important.

As described above, the disinfectant agent used in any of the embodiments may be a biocide gel. One example of a suitable disinfecting agent is isopropyl alcohol, which may be provided as a liquid or a gel. Of course, a number of alternative disinfectants could be used, they include chlorhexidine, chlorhexidine gluconate, chlorine, a chlorine-derivate and a phenol-derivative.