Device to promote hand sanitization

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a device to promote hand sanitization. In one embodiment of the present invention, the device comprises an assembly used to move a door coupled to a sanitizing agent dispenser such that the dispenser, releases sanitizing agent upon manipulation of the assembly to move the door. In another embodiment, the assembly comprises a latch that is coupled to the door for latching the door. Upon manipulation of the latching assembly to open the door, hand sanitizing agent is automatically released from the latching assembly onto the hands of a user that is manipulating the latching assembly.

1 . A device for promoting hand sanitization, the device comprising:
 an assembly used to move a door; and   a sanitizing agent dispenser, coupled to the assembly, for releasing sanitizing agent upon manipulation of the assembly to move the door.   
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the assembly comprises a pull handle. 
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 2  wherein, upon manipulating the pull handle, the sanitizing agent is released from the handle. 
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 3  wherein the pull handle further comprising a central tube, a plurality of radial tubes, and a plurality of channels, where the sanitizing agent is coupled from the central tube through the radial tubes to the plurality of channels. 
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 4  wherein the plurality of channels are covered by a permeable foam. 
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the assembly comprises a twist latch handle. 
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 6  wherein the twist latch handle comprises a means for maintaining the sanitizing agent upon the twist latch handle. 
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 7  wherein said means comprises a tray. 
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 7  wherein the means is a permeable foam. 
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the assembly comprises a push handle. 
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 10  wherein the push handle comprises a push handle or push bar and the sanitizing agent is supplied to the surface of the push button or push bar. 
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the sanitizing agent dispenser simultaneously releases the sanitizing agent onto a person's hands as the assembly is manipulated. 
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the sanitizing agent dispenser comprises a pump. 
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the assembly is adapted to manipulate a latch of the door. 
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the sanitizing agent dispenser comprises a reservoir containing the sanitizing agent. 
   
   
       16 . The device of  claim 15  wherein the reservoir comprises a casing and a cartridge. 
   
   
       17 . The device of  claim 16  wherein the cartridge comprises a cap having a rubber septum and a seal. 
   
   
       18 . The device of  claim 17  wherein the sanitizing agent dispenser comprises a cannula that pierces the seal upon installation of the cartridge within the casing. 
   
   
       19 . An apparatus for dispensing sanitizing agent comprising:
 a latching assembly; and   a sanitizing agent dispenser, coupled to the latching assembly, for dispensing the sanitizing agent when the latching assembly is manipulated.   
   
   
       20 . An apparatus for dispensing sanitizing agent comprising:
 a door;   a latching assembly, coupled to the door, comprising a handle; and   a sanitizing agent dispenser, coupled to the latching assembly, for dispensing the sanitizing agent onto the handle of the latching assembly when the latching assembly is manipulated to either open or close the door.