METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DISINFECTING ITEMS

摘要

Method and apparatus for disinfecting item, for example a handle for a door or tap in a toilet facility. There are prior art toilet door handles in which movement of the handle applies disinfectant to it. However, disinfectant tends also to be applied to the user's hand. Herein there is disclosed apparatus comprising a movable member, e.g. a door handle (2) having a contact surface for being manually engaged to move the movable member; germicide applying means (10) for applying germicide to said surface; and an operating mechanism (15) coupled between the movable member and the germicide applying means and operable in response to movement of the movable member for applying germicide to the contact surface after movement of said movable member. The germicide applying means may be a pump. The operating mechanism may act to prime the pump when the door handle is turned to open the door and the germicide is sprayed over the handle after the handle is released and returns to its initial position. The return movement may be retarded.