SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A SELF-SANITIZING DOOR HANDLE

A system for a self-sanitizing door handle includes a door handle configured to operate opening and closing of a door, a sensor configured to detect presence of a person in the proximity of the door handle and contact of the door handle by the person, a device for sanitizing the door handle, and a processor configured to receive a signal from the sensor and activate the device for sanitizing the door handle after being contacted by the person.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a system and a method for a self-sanitizing a door handle, and more particularly to a door handle that is self-sanitized via a high intensity beam or heat.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Some of the most frequently contacted everyday items are door handles. As such, door handles tend to collect dirt and pathogens for various communicative diseases, such as, microbes, bacteria and viruses. Door handles for doors in public places are touched by many people and therefore are especially susceptible to accumulating these pathogens. Although many people practice good personal hygiene and wash their hands frequently, there are always some people that do not. Since both people that practice good personal hygiene and people that do not practice good hygiene touch door handles in public places, it is critical to sanitize the door handles after each use.

Traditional methods for cleaning door handles include soap, detergents, and chemicals applied during periodic cleanings of the door handles. However, these methods are not designed to be applied after each use of the door handle. Accordingly, there is a need for a method for sanitizing a door handle that can be applied after each use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to systems and methods for sanitizing, disinfecting and sterilizing door handles, and more particularly to door handles that are self-sanitized, disinfected and sterilized via a high intensity beam or heat.

In general, in one aspect, the invention features a system for a self-sanitizing door handle including a door handle configured to operate opening and closing of a door, a sensor configured to detect presence of a person in the proximity of the door handle and contact of the door handle by the person, a device for sanitizing the door handle, and a processor configured to receive a signal from the sensor and activate the device for sanitizing the door handle after being contacted by the person.

Implementations of this aspect of the invention may include one or more of the following features. The sensor may be one of infrared proximity sensors, capacitive proximity sensors, photoelectric proximity sensors or inductive proximity sensors. The device for sanitizing the door handle is configured to sanitize the door handle via high intensity electromagnetic radiation, or heat, or combination thereof. The device for sanitizing the door handle includes a laser and the laser emits a high intensity electromagnetic radiation laser beam that sanitizes an outer surface of the door handle. The high intensity electromagnetic radiation laser beam may be an infrared (IR) light, ultraviolet (UV) light, or visible light. The system further includes collimating and reflecting components for directing the laser beam onto the outer surface of the door handle. The device for sanitizing the door handle includes a heating source that generates a heat flash that sanitizes an outer surface of the door handle by applying heat. The outer surface of the door handle is heated to a temperature above 100° C. during sanitizing. The outer surface of the door handle includes a heat conductive coating. The heat conductive coating may be a metal, nickel, aluminum, chrome, tungsten, copper, silver, gold, zinc, alloys thereof, ceramic, silicon carbide, graphite or diamond. The system further includes a motor configured to rotate the door handle while being sanitized. The system further includes one or more warning indicators that emit one or more warning signals during the sanitizing of the door handle. The one or more warning indicators comprise light emitting diodes (LED). The system further includes a power source that provides power for operating the device for sanitizing the door handle, the sensor and processor. The system further includes one or more safety interlock devices that are configured to stop the sanitizing of the door handle when the door handle is touched by the person. The door handle may be an L-shaped door handle, a U-shaped door handle, or a knob-shaped door handle. The sensor, the sanitizing device and the processor are integrated within the door handle. The door handle may include a static internal component and a rotating outer component.

In general, in another aspect, the invention features a method for self-sanitizing a door handle including the following. First, providing a door handle configured to operate opening and closing of a door. Next, providing a sensor configured to detect presence of a person in the proximity of the door handle and contact of the door handle by the person. Next, providing a device for sanitizing the door handle. Next, providing a processor configured to receive a signal from the sensor and activate the device for sanitizing the door handle after being contacted by the person. Next, detecting the presence of the person in the proximity of the door handle and contact of the door handle by the person by the sensor and sending a first signal to the processor. Next, detecting removal of the person's contact of the door handle by the sensor and sending a second signal to the processor. Finally, activating the sanitizing device by the processor and self-sanitizing the door handle.

The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments, the drawings and from the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to systems and methods for sanitizing, disinfecting and sterilizing door handles, and more particularly to door handles that are self-sanitized, disinfected and sterilized via a high intensity beam or heat. Examples of door handles that can be sanitized according to this invention include L-shaped door handles100, U-shaped door handles200and knob door handles300, as shown inFIG. 1A-FIG. 1C, respectively, among others. The self-sanitizing door handles function by delivering a specific type of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT), to damage cells with quick lethal effects.

Referring toFIG. 2A-FIG. 4B, a self-sanitizing L-shaped door handle100includes a handle bar102that has one end attached to a door70via a connecting component103and one free end. Handle bar102is configured to move downward in the direction of arrow114in order to actuate the door opening/closing mechanism and open/close the door70. The front end of connecting component103includes a front facing rangefinder108and a warning light indicator110that is embedded in the rim of component103. In one example, the rangefinder is a proximity sensor that detects a person within a specified distance from the handle. Examples of proximity sensors include infrared proximity sensors, capacitive proximity sensors, photoelectric proximity sensors and inductive proximity sensors. The warning light indicator is a light emitting diode (LED) light. As shown inFIG. 3, a laser source126with a collimator, a laser beam deflector130, a motor122and a circuit board124with a programmable processor123are incorporated within the interior space of the connecting component103. A side rangefinder128is also included on the inner side of the connecting component103. Handle bar102is a hollow cylinder that includes a static internal shell116, a rotating outer shell118and an end cap112. End cap112includes a laser beam absorber portion112a. Outer shell118is configured to rotate around axis138along the circular path136by a minimum of 360° degrees. Power to the self-sanitizing mechanism is provided by batteries120that are incorporated within the inner space of the static internal shell116. Upon activation of the self-sanitizing mechanism, a laser beam134is emitted from the exit opening132of the connecting component103and the laser beam is swept along the outer surface of the outer shell118, while the outer shell118is rotated. End cap absorption portion112aprevents the laser beam134from exiting the free end of the handle bar. The sweeping of the outer shell surface with the laser beam and the rotation of the outer shell118ensures full laser coverage of the outer surface of shell118. The laser beam134disinfects, sanitizes and sterilizes the outer surface of shell118after each activation of the door handle102. During the disinfecting operation of the laser beam134and the available full 360° degrees rotation of the outer shell118, the warning indication light110is lit111, to indicate the active status of the laser, as shown inFIG. 4B. In one example, laser source126is a blue or red or infrared (IR) laser that emits electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength in the range of 400 nm to 850 nm, and has power in the range of 0.1 Watts to 3 Watts, while the outer shell118rotates a minimum of 360° degrees within 0.5 to 2.0 sec. In other examples, laser source126is an ultraviolet (UV) laser emitting electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength in the range of 180 nm to 400 nm. In addition to the proximity sensors108and the visual warning light110, the system includes additional safety devices that are configured to stop the laser beam when contacted by a person. In one example, the safety device is a conductivity sensor that sends a signal to processor123to stop the emission of the laser beam when the handle bar is contacted by human skin. In another example, the safety feature is a shutter that blocks the laser beam when activated by the processor123.

In operation, a user approaches and opens the door70by pressing the handle bar102in direction114. The presence of the user and the user's hand near the handle bar is detected by the front rangefinder108and the rear range finder128and is communicated to the processor123via a first signal. Processor123stops the emission of the laser beam134and the rotation of the handle bar102, upon receiving the person detection first signal. When the user subsequently removes his hand from the handle bar102, the range finders108,128send a second signal to the processor123and the processor123activates the laser beam sweeping of the outer shell118and the rotation of the outer shell118. The combination of the laser beam sweeping with the rotation of the outer shell ensures that the handle bar is disinfected, sanitized and sterilized after each use.

Referring toFIG. 5A-FIG. 7B, a self-sanitizing U-shaped door handle200includes a handle bar202that has a first end attached to a door80via a first connecting component203aand a second end attached to door80via a second connecting component203b. Handle bar203is stationary and is configured to be used to open and close the door80. The front end of connecting component203aincludes a front facing rangefinder208aand a warning light indicator210a, that is embedded in the rim of components203a. Similarly, the front end of connecting component203bincludes a front facing rangefinder208band a warning light indicator210b, that is embedded in the rim of components203b. In one example, the rangefinder is a proximity sensor that detects a person within a specified distance from the handle. Examples of proximity sensors include infrared proximity sensors, capacitive proximity sensors, photoelectric proximity sensors and inductive proximity sensors. The warning light indicator is a light emitting diode (LED) light. As shown inFIG. 6AandFIG. 6B, a laser source226with a collimator, a laser beam deflector230, a motor222and a circuit board224with a programmable processor223are incorporated within the interior space of the connecting component203a. A second rangefinder228ais also included on the inner bottom side of the connecting component203a. Similarly, a second rangefinder228bis also included on the inner upper side of the connecting component203b. Handle bar202is a hollow cylinder that includes a static internal shell216, a rotating outer shell218and top and bottom end caps212a,212b. Upper inner side of connecting component203balso includes a laser beam absorber portion207. Outer shell218is configured to rotate around axis238along the circular path236. Power to the self-sanitizing mechanism is provided by batteries220that are incorporated within the inner space of the static internal shell216. Upon activation of the self-sanitizing mechanism, a laser beam234is emitted from the exit opening232of the connecting component203aand the laser beam is swept along the outer surface of the outer shell218, while the outer shell218is rotated. The laser beam absorption portion207prevents the laser beam234from exiting the second end of the handle bar202. The sweeping of the outer shell surface with the laser beam and the 360° degrees rotation of the outer shell218ensures full laser coverage of the outer surface of shell218. The laser beam234disinfects, sanitizes and sterilizes the outer surface of shell218after a user touches the door handle202. During the disinfecting operation of the laser beam234and the 360° degrees rotation of the outer shell218, the warning indication lights210a,210b, are lit211a,211b, to indicate the active status of the laser, as shown inFIG. 7B. In one example, laser source226emits a wavelength in the range of 450 nm to 850 nm, and has power in the range of 0.1 Watts to 3 Watts, while the outer shell118rotates a minimum 360° degrees within 0.5 to 2.0 sec. In other examples, laser source226is an ultraviolet (UV) laser emitting electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength in the range of 180 nm to 400 nm. In addition to the proximity sensors208a,208b,228a,228band the visual warning lights210a,210b, the system includes additional safety devices that are configured to stop the laser beam when contacted by a person. In one example, the safety device is a conductivity sensor that sends a signal to processor223to stop the emission of the laser beam when the handle bar is contacted by human skin. In another example, the safety feature is a shutter that blocks the laser beam when activated by the processor223.

In operation, a user approaches and opens the door80by pushing or pulling the handle bar202. The presence of the user's hand near the handle bar is detected by the front rangefinders208a,208band the rear range finders228a,228b, and is communicated to the processor223via a first signal. Processor223stops the emission of the laser beam234and the rotation of the handle bar202, upon receiving the person detection first signal. When, subsequently, the user removes his hand from the handle bar, the rangefinder detectors208a,208b,228a,228bsend a second signal to the processor223that causes the activation of the laser beam sweeping of the outer shell218and the rotation of the outer shell218. The combination of the laser beam sweeping with the rotation of the outer shell ensures that the handle bar is disinfected, sanitized and sterilized after each use.

Referring toFIG. 8A-FIG. 9B, an L-shaped door handle400that is self-sanitized via a heat flash includes a handle bar402that has one end attached to a door70via a connecting component403and one free end. Handle bar402is configured to move downward in the direction of arrow414in order to actuate the door opening/closing mechanism and open/close the door70. The front end of connecting component403includes a front facing rangefinder408and a warning light indicator410is a ring light that is embedded in the rim of component403. In one example, the rangefinder is a proximity sensor that detects a person within a specified distance from the handle. Examples of proximity sensors include infrared proximity sensors, capacitive proximity sensors, photoelectric proximity sensors and inductive proximity sensors. The warning light indicator is an LED light. As shown inFIG. 9A, a circuit board424with a programmable processor423and a heating circuit425are incorporated within the interior space of the connecting component403. The heating circuit425is configured to generate a heat flash that heats the outer surface of the handle bar402to a temperature of above 100° C. in order to sanitize, disinfect and sterilize the handle bar. A side rangefinder428is also included on the inner side of the connecting component403. Handle bar402is a hollow cylinder that includes a heat conducting outer shell434, a primary heat dissipation shell436, a secondary casing shell438and an end cap412. Outer shell434is configured to be heated via the heat flash generated by the heating circuit425. Power to the self-sanitizing mechanism is provided by batteries420that are incorporated within the inner space of the secondary casing shell438. Upon activation of the self-sanitizing mechanism, the outer shell434is heated quickly via a heat flash that kills any microbes, viruses, and bacteria that are present on the door handle outer surface. In one example, the outer shell434is a coating made out of a highly conductive material that can be rapidly heated and cooled. The heat flash has a temperature in the range of 80° C. to 195° C. and a duration of 50 msec to 2.5 sec.

In operation, a user approaches and opens the door70by pressing the handle bar402in direction414. The presence of the user's hand near the handle bar is detected by the front rangefinder408and the rear range finder428and is communicated to the processor423. When the user subsequently removes his hand from the handle bar402, the range finders408,428send a second signal to the processor423and the processor then activates the heat flash generating circuit425, which then sends a heat flash to heat the outer shell434of the door handle. During the flash heating of the door handle, the warning indication light410is lit, to indicate the active status of the disinfection process.

Referring toFIG. 10A-FIG. 11, a U-shaped door handle500that is self-sanitized via a heat flash includes a handle bar502that has a first end attached to a door80via a first connecting component503aand a second end attached to door80via a second connecting component503b. Handle bar502is stationary and is configured to be used to open and close the door80. The front end of connecting component503aincludes a front facing rangefinder508aand a warning light indicator510a. Similarly, the front end of connecting component503bincludes a front facing rangefinder508band a warning light indicator510b. In one example, the rangefinder is a proximity sensor that detects a person within a specified distance from the handle. Examples of proximity sensors include infrared proximity sensors, capacitive proximity sensors, photoelectric proximity sensors and inductive proximity sensors. The warning light indicator is a ring LED light that is embedded in the rim of the component503aand503b. As was shown inFIG. 9A, a circuit board424with a programmable processor423and a heating circuit425are incorporated within the interior space of the connecting component503a. The heating circuit425is configured to generate a heat flash that heats the outer surface of the handle bar502to a temperature of above 100° C. in order to sanitize, disinfect and sterilize the handle bar. A second rangefinder528ais also included on the inner bottom side of the connecting component503a. Similarly, a second rangefinder528bis also included on the inner top side of the connecting component503b. Handle bar502is a hollow cylinder that includes a heat conducting outer shell534, a primary heat dissipation shell536, a secondary casing shell538and an end caps512a,512b. Outer shell534is configured to be heated via the heat flash generated by the heating circuit425. Power to the self-sanitizing mechanism is provided by batteries520that are incorporated within the inner space of the secondary casing shell538. Upon activation of the self-sanitizing mechanism, the outer shell534is heated quickly via a heat flash that kills any microbes, viruses, and bacteria that are present on the door handle outer surface. In one example, the outer shell534is a coating made out of a highly conductive material that can be rapidly heated and cooled. Examples, of highly conductive materials include metals, such as nickel, aluminum, chrome, tungsten, copper, silver, gold, zinc, alloys thereof, ceramics such as silicon carbide, graphite and diamond, among others. The heat flash has a temperature in the range of 80° C. to 195° C. and a duration of 50 msec to 2.5 sec.

In operation, a user approaches and opens the door80by pushing or pulling the handle bar502. The presence of the user's hand near the handle bar is detected by the front rangefinders508a,508band the rear range finders528a,528b, and is communicated to the processor423. When, subsequently, the user removes his hand from the handle bar, the rangefinder detectors508a,508b,528a,528bsend a second signal to the processor423and the processor then activates the heat flash generating circuit425, which then sends a heat flash to heat the outer shell534of the door handle. During the flash heating of the door handle, the warning indication lights510a,510bare lit, to indicate the active status of the disinfection process.

Referring toFIG. 12A-FIG. 13B, a knob-shaped door handle300that is self-sanitized via a heat flash includes a rotating knob302and a fixed back plate304that is configured to be attached to a door90. Knob302is configured to rotate around axis306in order to actuate the door opening/closing mechanism and open/close the door90. The front end of knob302includes a front facing rangefinder308. As shown inFIG. 13A, a circuit board324with a programmable processor323and a heating circuit325are incorporated within the interior space of the back plate304. The heating circuit325is configured to generate a heat flash that heats the outer surface334of the knob302to a temperature of above 100° C. in order to sanitize, disinfect and sterilize the knob302. Knob302is hollow and includes a heat conducting outer shell334, a primary heat dissipation shell336, and a secondary casing shell338. Outer shell334is configured to be heated via the heat flash generated by the heating circuit325. Power to the self-sanitizing mechanism is provided by batteries320that are incorporated within the inner space of the secondary casing shell338. Upon activation of the self-sanitizing mechanism, the outer shell334is heated quickly via a heat flash that kills any microbes, viruses, and bacteria that are present on the knob outer surface. In one example, the outer shell334is a coating made out of a highly conductive material that can be rapidly heated and cooled. Examples, of highly conductive materials include metals, such as nickel, aluminum, chrome, tungsten, copper, silver, gold, zinc, alloys thereof, ceramics such as silicon carbide, graphite and diamond, among others. The heat flash has a temperature in the range of 80° C. to 195° C. and a duration of 50 msec to 2.5 sec.

In operation, a user approaches and opens the door90by rotating the knob302. The presence of the user's hand near the knob is detected by the front rangefinder308and is communicated to the processor323. When the user subsequently removes his hand from the knob302, the range finder308sends a second signal to the processor323and the processor then activates the heat flash generating circuit325, which then sends a heat flash to heat the outer shell334of the door knob302.

Other embodiments include one or more of the following. Handle bar102of handle100is configured to move upwards in the opposite direction of114. The handle bar102may be made of metal, alloys or composite materials. Handles100,200,300,400,500may be retrofitted in existing doors that do not have their own power source. For doors that have an incorporated power source, the power source of the door handle may be eliminated. The laser beam may be an ultraviolet laser. Other high intensity beams that are used include pulsed laser beams, and focused light beams generated by LEDs, gas lamps (xenon, tungsten) or fluorescent lamps. A combination of a laser beam and a heat flash may also be used to disinfect, sanitize and sterilize door handles100,200,300,400,500.

Among the advantages of this invention may be one or more of the following. The present invention provides improved sanitization of door handles and prevents the spread of viral, bacterial, and microbial contaminants from door handle surfaces to users. The invention helps reduce Hospital Acquired Infections (HAI's) from door handles and other components that receive enormous use every day by multitudes of people. The door handle sanitization of this invention is anticipated to also work against Multidrug resistance organisms (MDRO's). The present invention also reduces the need to clean and disinfect through direct labor and contact, reduces the use of cleaning chemicals, and improves the working conditions of public buildings and facilities. The self-sanitizing door handles of this invention can be used in hospitals (emergency rooms, patient rooms, doctors offices), public restrooms, schools, museums, government and municipal building, libraries, colleges, banks, portable toilets, and office buildings, among others.

The narrowness and location of the beam source allows, due to the rotation of the handle lever, to greatly limit users from any direct eye exposure to the light.