"MANUFACTURING METHOD OF A PORTION OF A HANDLE INSERT,

HANDLE AND HANDLE PORTION"

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing an active portion of an article, such as an insert of a handle, suitable for interacting with a user and having antibacterial properties, and the active portion thereof .

[0002] In everyday life it is frequent for a plurality of persons to interact with the same articles: handles, grips, supports or support structures, counters, handrails, gripping portions of various types and walkways are mere non-limiting illustrative examples.

[0003] Such phenomenon is particularly significant and especially marked in public places such as on public transport, in hospitals, in public service premises such as banks, post offices, etc.

[0004] The propagation of contagion, for example of the flu type, is enormously amplified by the accumulation of viruses or bacteria on such objects so that, given the public's increasing concern about the transmission of disease or contact epidemics, it is increasingly important that the aforesaid articles do not become suitable environments for the proliferation of bacterial populations . [0005] The present invention therefore sets out to solve the aforesaid problems .

[0006] Such objective is achieved by a method according to claim 1, by an active portion according to claim 14 and by a handle according to claim 16. The dependent claims show preferred embodiments.

[0007] The method of the present invention relates to the manufacturing of at least one active portion of an article, such as an insert of a handle, suitable for interacting with a user, and composed of a thermoplastic or elastomeric polymer material having antibacterial properties .

[0008] Consequently, the active portion joined to the article acts as a bactericide towards viruses and bacteria, slowing down or stopping their proliferation, or even preventing the settlement of such bacteria on the active portion, thereby limiting the propagation of diseases transmitted through contact .

[0009] In other words, the active portion constitutes an environment unsuitable for the accumulation of bacterial colonies .

[0010] Consequently, preferably, the exposed surface of the article, for example the part suitable for coming into contact with the user's skin, is completely covered by the active portion. [0011] Embodiment variations of the invention envisage that the active portion of the article comprises a handle insert, a grip, a support or support structure, of a counter, of a handrail, a balustrade, a grip portion, a walkway or the like.

[0012] Even more preferably, the article is composed entirely of the active portion.

[0013] The present method comprises the step of providing at least one thermoplastic or elastomeric polymer material, or mixture thereof, and of providing at least one antibacterial additive.

[0014] For example, the polymer material and/or additive are provided in granular form, or in any case in a form suitable for the subsequent manufacturing steps .

[0015] Preferably, the polymer material comprises a natural rubber or caoutchouc.

[0016] Even more preferably, such rubber has a density of 0.8 to 2.3 g/cm ³ .

[0017] Particularly advantageous variants of the invention envisage that the density of the rubber is 0.8 to 0.85 g/cm ³ , 0.85 to 0.9 g/cm ³ , 0.9 to 0.95 g/cm ³ , 0.95 to 1.05 g/cm ³ , 1.05 to 1.1 g/cm ³ , 1.1 to 1.15 g/cm ³ , 1.15 to 1.2 g/cm ³ , if necessary 1.2 to 1.25 g/cm ³ , 1.25 to 1.3 g/cm ³ , 1.3 to 1.35 g/cm ³ , 1.35 to 1.4 g/cm ³ , preferably 1.4 to 1.45 g/cm ³ , 1.45 to 1.5 g/cm ³ , 1.5 to 1.55 g/cm ³ , 1.55 to 1.6 g/cm ³ , 1.6 to 1.65 g/cm ³ , 1.65 to 1.7 g/cm ³ , 1.7 to

1.75 g/cm ³ , 1.75 to 1.8 g/cm ³ , 1.8 to 1.85 g/cm ³ , 1.85 to

1.9 g/cm ³ , 1.9 to 1.95 g/cm ³ , optionally 1.95 to 2.0 g/cm ³ , 2.05 to 2.1 g/cm ³ , 2.1 to 2.15 g/cm ³ , 2.15 to 2.2 g/cm ³ , 2.2 to 2.25 g/cm ³ , and/or 2.25 to 2.3 g/cm ³ .

[0018] Preferably, the additive comprises one or more between silver, zinc and/or copper, advantageously in the form of nano-particles or supported on zeolite.

[0019] Even more preferably, the additive comprises a phenoxy alogenate compound.

[0020] The method further comprises a step of heating the polymer material to a temperature of at least partial softening of the material .

[0021] In other words, the polymer material is heated at least up to its vitreous transition temperature, so as to be suitable for subsequent mixing.

[0022] Preferably, the heating step comprises at least two steps of heating at increasingly higher temperatures.

[0023] Even more preferably, the first heating step takes place at a temperature between 150° and 190°C, and the second step takes place at a temperature between 180° and 230°C.

[0024] Particularly advantageous embodiments provide that the first heating step takes place at a temperature between 150° and 160°C, preferably between 165° and 185°C, even more preferably between 175° and 190°C, and that the second heating step takes place at a temperature between 185° and 200°C, preferably between 195° and 210°C.

[0025] Advantageously, both the first and the second heating step take place at a temperature below 230°C to prevent jeopardising the functionality of the antibacterial active substance.

[0026] he method of the present invention lastly envisages a step of mixing the softened polymer material and the antibacterial additive, and a step of forming the active portion of the article.

[0027] As a result, after the polymer material and additive have been mixed together, the forming step comprises a step of extrusion, co-extrusion, over-injection and/or moulding.

[0028] Preferably, the forming step comprises a step of extrusion, of co-extrusion, of over-injection and/or of moulding.

[0029] Even more preferably, , the forming step comprises a step of providing the active portion with attachment or coupling means, such as threaded or tapered seats, ribbing, recesses, protuberances and the like, suitable for fastening the active portion to the article .

[0030] Advantageously, such fastening is a snap-fastening. [0031] According to one embodiment, the step of moulding the active portion takes place around a pin, e.g. having a square section, which remains at least partially immersed in the active portion. Such pin is joined to a handle .

[0032] Advantageously, the mixing step occurs between one heating step and the next .

[0033] According to a preferred embodiment, the method also comprises a step of providing at least one fireproof additive .

[0034] Consequently, the active portion according to such variation comprises in addition a thermoplastic or elastomeric polymer material having fireproof properties .

[0035] Preferably, the step of providing the fireproof additive occurs at least partially simultaneously to the step of providing the antibacterial additive.

[0036] Even more preferably, the fireproof additive comprises one or more of a product comprising aluminium hydroxide, a heavy metal such as lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chrome, biphenyl and/or diphenylether polybromu ate, poly-chloro-biphenyl , and/or an organophosphorate compound, advantageously tri(2-chlro- isopropyl) phosphate.

[0037] According to an even more preferable variation, the percentage of antibacterial and/or fireproof additive in the mixture is 0.1 to 20% in weight and, preferably, between 0.5 and 10% in weight.

[0038] As a result, when present on its own, the antibacterial additive has a percentage in weight of up to 20%; otherwise, where the antibacterial additive is present together with the fireproof additive, the sum of the percentages in weight of such two components will be 20% or less.

[0039] Particularly advantageous embodiments envisage a percentage of antibacterial and/or fireproof additive in the mixture of 0.1 to 0.5%, 0.7 to 1.5%, 1.8 to 2.2%, preferably 2.0 to 3.0%, 3.1 to 3.9%, 4.3 to 5.5%, advantageously 5.6 to 6.0%, 6.0 to 6.8%, 6.9 to 8.0%, 8.2 to 9.5%, if necessary 9.6 to 12% in weight.

[0040] Preferably, the method also comprises a step of detecting the presence of condensation in the polymer material and/or antibacterial additive and, in the case of positive detection of such condensation, further comprises a step of pre-drying of such components.

[0041] As a result, the method also comprises a step of pre-drying the polymer material and/or antibacterial additive conditional to the detection of condensation in them or in the environment containing them.

[0042] For example, pre-drying takes place at a temperature of 80°C for about 4 hours, conditions in any case depending on the percentage of condensation present and the quantity of material /additive to be dried.

[0043] The present invention furthermore relates to an article, in particular a handle, comprising an active portion suitable for interacting with a user and composed of a thermoplastic or elastomeric polymer material comprising at least one additive suitable for conferring antibacterial properties to said active portion.

[0044] According to the above description, the antibacterial additive preferably comprises one or more of silver, zinc and/or copper, advantageously in the form of nano-particles or supported on zeolite and, even more preferably, a phenoxy alogenate compound.

[0045] Preferably, the active portion further comprises a fireproof additive.

[0046] According to independent embodiments, the antibacterial additive is positioned on at least one exposed surface of the article, and/or the fireproof additive is at least partially positioned in the bulk of the thermoplastic or elastomeric polymer material.

[0047] According to a particularly advantageous variation, the active portion at least partially covers a core or metallic pin of the article, preferably a prevalent portion of the same.

[0048] Innovatively, the active portion of the present invention limits the propagation of contagion, for example of the flu type, the articles comprising it being an unsuitable environment for the proliferation of bacterial populations .

[0049] Advantageously, as the active portion of the article is progressively worn away by use/wear, it superficially exposes new polymer material comprising new antibacterial additive .

[0050] Consequently, the active portion which the present invention relates to is suitable for generating new antibacterial additive thanks to wear, presenting a particularly long useful life.

[0051] Advantageously, the polymer material has slip-proof properties, with considerable surface adhesion, and gives the article it is associated with a pleasant feel .

[0052] Advantageously, the antibacterial additive is retained within the polymer material so as not to undergo transfer of the active substance to the user.

[0053] This way, such additive explicates its antibacterial effect on the article, but does not carry the risk of migration to the user, or to other objects which the user may come into contact with, such as foodstuffs.

[0054] Advantageously, the method which the invention relates to makes it possible to considerably simplify the manufacturing steps of the active portion, and does not require particularly complex structural equipment .

[0055] Advantageously, the aforesaid method has been specifically designed to prevent the decomposition of the antibacterial active substance. Such objective has been achieved in particular by developing a special heating program.

[0056] Advantageously, the active portion of the invention presents further fireproof or flame retardant properties.

[0057] Advantageously, the previous advantage is achieved in a single manufacturing step.

[0058] Advantageously, the active portion is predisposed for assembly to the article without the need for adhesives or the like, in that it is fitted with special rapid attachment devices during the forming step .

[0059] A person skilled in the art may make modifications or replacements of elements with others functionally equivalent to the aforesaid embodiments of the method and article in order to satisfy contingent requirements .

[0060] These variations fall within the sphere of protection as defined by the following claims, too.

[0061] Furthermore, each variation described as belonging to a possible embodiment can be made independently of the other variations described.