Focusing location of antimicrobial additives in fluid dispensers

Abstract

A fluid dispenser includes focused location of antimicrobial resins to one or more high touch surfaces of the dispenser. In one example, an antimicrobial resin is incorporated into a first contact receiving surface, such as a push bar of a manually operated hand soap dispenser. In another example, an antimicrobial additive is incorporated in a second contact receiving surface, such as a cover release mechanism of a hand soap dispenser. In another example, an antimicrobial additive is incorporated into one or more high touch points on the dispenser.

1 . A dispenser comprising:
 a housing having an interior cavity;   a reservoir positioned in the interior cavity of the housing that contains a supply of a fluid to be dispensed;   a dispense mechanism manually operable by a user to cause a discrete quantity of fluid to be dispensed from the reservoir, the dispense mechanism comprising:
 a first contact receiving surface accessible on an exterior of the housing and manually moveable between a rest position and a dispensing position, the first contact receiving surface further comprised of a material that includes an antimicrobial agent; and 
 a frame pivotally mounted within the interior of the housing and configured to receive the first contact receiving surface, wherein the frame is comprised of a material that does not include the antimicrobial agent, 
 the frame further configured such that manual movement of the first contact receiving surface from the rest position to the dispense position causes a corresponding movement of the frame resultant dispensation of the discrete quantity of the fluid from the reservoir. 
   
     
     
         2 . The dispenser of  claim 1  wherein the first contact receiving surface comprises one of a bar, a button, a handle, a knob, a dial, or a switch. 
     
     
         3 . The dispenser of  claim 1  wherein the first contact receiving surface may be pushed, pulled, turned, or rotated by a user to dispense the discrete quantity of fluid. 
     
     
         4 . The dispenser of  claim 1  wherein the dispense mechanism further comprises a hinge by which the frame is pivotally mounted within the interior of the housing. 
     
     
         5 . The dispenser of  claim 1  wherein the first contact receiving surface is mounted onto the frame using an overmolding process. 
     
     
         6 . The dispenser of  claim 1  wherein the first contact receiving surface is mounted onto the frame using at least one of an adhesive, a snap fit, and a mechanical fastener. 
     
     
         7 . The dispenser of  claim 1  wherein the first contact receiving surface is manually moveable by the user between the rest position and the dispensing position. 
     
     
         8 . The dispenser of  claim 1  wherein the first contact receiving surface comprises a plastic resin that includes at least one antimicrobial additive. 
     
     
         9 . The dispenser of  claim 8  wherein the antimicrobial additive comprises at least one of a biocide, a silver-based additive, and a silane quaternary amine. 
     
     
         10 . The dispenser of  claim 1  wherein the first contact receiving surface comprises an antimicrobial coating. 
     
     
         11 . The dispenser of  claim 1  further comprising a second contact receiving surface on an exterior of the housing and manually moveable to release a cover latch, the second contact receiving surface further comprised of a material that includes the antimicrobial agent. 
     
     
         12 . The dispenser of  claim 1  further comprising a cover release mechanism, and wherein the cover release mechanism is comprised of the material that includes the antimicrobial agent. 
     
     
         13 . The dispenser of  claim 1  further comprising one or more high touch points, and wherein the one or more high touch points are comprised of the material that includes the antibacterial agent. 
     
     
         14 . A dispenser comprising:
 a housing having an interior cavity;   a reservoir positioned in the interior cavity of the housing that contains a supply of a fluid to be dispensed; and   at least one high touch point, the at least one high touch point comprising a defined surface area on or within the dispenser that is touched by users relatively more often than remaining surface areas on or within the dispenser, and wherein the at least one high touch point includes an antimicrobial agent.   
     
     
         15 . The dispenser of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one high touch point includes a dispense mechanism manually operable by a user to cause a discrete quantity of fluid to be dispensed from the reservoir. 
     
     
         16 . The dispenser of  claim 15 , the dispense mechanism comprising a contact receiving surface accessible on an exterior of the housing and manually moveable between a rest position at which no fluid is dispensed and a dispensing position at which fluid is dispensed, and wherein the contact receiving surface includes the material that includes the antimicrobial agent. 
     
     
         17 . The dispenser of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one high touch point includes a cover release mechanism. 
     
     
         18 . The dispenser of  claim 14 , wherein the antimicrobial agent comprises an antimicrobial additive or an antimicrobial coating. 
     
     
         19 . The dispenser of  claim 14 , wherein the antimicrobial agent includes at least one of a biocide, a silver-based additive, and a silane quaternary amine. 
     
     
         20 . The dispenser of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one high touch point comprises a plastic resin that includes at least one antimicrobial additive.