Containers with public contact devices

Abstract

This disclosure includes a description of a public-surface contact-avoidance device comprising a container configured to store an item to be used repeatedly by a user; and a public contact device attached to the container; wherein the container is configured to be held by the user in a manner that allows the user to contact the public contact device with public surfaces without requiring the user to touch the public surfaces with the user's hands. In some embodiments, a liquid container comprises a bottle comprising a storage portion and a lid portion, the bottle being configured to store liquid for drinking; and a contact device affixed to the bottle; wherein the contact device is configured to be used to actuate a door without requiring contact between the door and the user's hands. In some embodiments, a method of actuating a device, such as a door or key pad, includes obtaining a liquid container with an integral public contact device; grasping the liquid container; and contacting the public contact device of the liquid container with the device to be actuated without requiring direct contact between the user's hands and the device to be actuated.

The following is claimed: 
     
         1 . A liquid container comprising:
 a bottle comprising a storage portion and a lid portion, the bottle being configured to store liquid for drinking; and   a contact device affixed to the bottle;   wherein the contact device is configured to be used to actuate a door handle without requiring contact between the door handle and the user's hands.   
     
     
         2 . The liquid container of  claim 1 , further comprising a sanitizer configured to sanitize the contact device. 
     
     
         3 . A public-surface contact-avoidance device comprising:
 a container configured to store an item to be used repeatedly by a user; and   a public contact device attached to the container;   wherein the container is configured to be held by the user in a manner that allows the user to contact the public contact device with public surfaces without requiring the user to touch the public surfaces with the user's hands.   
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the container is a liquid vessel. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the public-surface contact-avoidance device comprises an arm. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the arm comprises a generally longitudinal portion and a generally transverse portion. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the arm is fixed to the container. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the arm cannot move with respect to the container. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the arm is movable with respect to the container. 
     
     
         10 . A method of actuating a device comprising:
 obtaining a liquid container with an integral public contact device; and   grasping the liquid container;   contacting the public contact device of the liquid container with a device to be actuated without requiring direct contact between the user's hands and the device to be actuated.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the device to be actuated is a door. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the device to be actuated is a key pad.