SANITARY DEPRESSION DEVICE

DISPOSITIF SANITAIRE A DEPRESSION

English Abstract

This invention replaces the need for human touch on common surfaces that
transmit trace contaminants such as germs, viruses, bacteria, and dirt. These
surfaces
include elevator buttons, bank machine and computer or other touch-activated
screens,
ATM's, interact keypads, code entry devices, door bells, telephones, fax
machines,
photocopiers, door controls for the disabled, light/fan switches etc.
This hand-held Sanitary Depression Device {heretofore referred to as SDD}
protects
itself from contaminants and the transmission of these trace contaminants.
This device
not only protects the user, but also helps to disinfect the common surfaces
with which it
directly comes in contact.
The SDD instrument can be made in different shapes, sizes , styles and designs
both to
expand on the purposes it can serve and to increase its marketability.

Claims

-1-
Claims
Sanitary Depression Device
The embodiment of the invention for which an exclusive property or privilege
are
presently sought, is clarified in the following claims:
1. This invention is a uniquely designed hand-held instrument used to replace
the
need for humans to touch public, common surfaces. Thus, it significantly
reduces
or eliminates the susceptibility to illnesses that is clearly associated with
trace
contaminants commonly found on surfaces such as electronic buttons including
keypads, elevator and automatic door controls, touch activated screens, ATM's,
lights/fans switches etc.
2. Further to and based on claim #1:
This instrument is designed to protect the individual user from coming into
direct
contact with contaminants such as germs, viruses, bacteria, and dirt.
3. Further to and based on claims #1 and #2:
Due to its construction, and the disinfectant nature of its' contents, this
instrument
protects itself from being contaminated.
4. Further to and based on claims #1 through #3:
This instrument aids in the arrest of the transmission of contaminants via and
due
to its' disinfectant tip or contact point.
5. Further to and based on claims #1 through #4:
This instrument helps to disinfect the common surfaces with which it comes
into
direct contact.
6. Further to and based on claims #1 through #5:
This is an instrument that can be manufactured in a number of shapes, styles
and
sizes.

-2-
Claims
7. Further to and based on claims #1 through #6:
This instrument may be designed in a variety of outer casings. Outer casings
may
vary in design in order to meet changes in technology ( for example, evolving
electronic devices).
8. Further to and based on claims #1 through #7:
This instrument may be designed in a variety of cap-styles and tip-styles. The
cap
and tip (contact point) may vary in styles. Some tips for example may be
designed to remain permanently exposed, while others may have a "shutter"
option in which the tip would be exposed only by a sliding device.
9. Further to and based on claims #1 through #8: This instrument may be
designed
to contain a variety of inner contents. Inner contents may vary in that
different
disinfectants could be used depending on changing environmental or marketing
factors.
10. Further to and based on claims #1 through #9: This instrument may be
designed
either as a disposable item (recyclable plastic), or it may be designed to be
a
permanent instrument that is refillable.

Description

CA 02450835 2003-12-15
Description
Sanitary Depression Device
The hand held SDD instrument addresses the problem of humans coming into
contact
with infectious, trace contaminants such as viruses, bacteria, germs and dirt.
It does so by
providing the user with a sanitary, hand held instrument designed to perform
the function
of a human finger, yet due to its disinfectant nature, it does not carry or
transfer
contaminants from the surface to the person, nor does it transfer contaminants
from one
surface to another. Further, it aids in disinfecting the surfaces with which
it comes into
contact. These surfaces may range from keypads, elevator buttons, touch-
activated
screens, light-switches etcetera.
The SDD can be manufactured in a variety of sizes, styles and designs. The
following is
a sample of one design. Diagrams of this design are enclosed, with suggested
sizes. The
style depicted in the following description is comprised of the following
parts:
~ An outer casing acts as a handle, serves as a container for the absorbent
bar and acts as a reservoir for the disinfectant. This outer casing is
cylindrical and is made of a coloured and/or transparent plastic. It tapers
from the back to the front end for easy handling and for the increased
effectiveness of the instrument. Suggested measurements are detailed on
the enclosed diagrams.
~ The outer casing/reservoir contains a disinfectant liquid that is absorbed
by the fabric/felt bar. The fabric bar will be crimped at the front end and
will thus be held stationary.
~ The fabric/felt bar for another absorbent material}is contained inside the
reservoir. The felt bar protrudes slightly from the reservoir to the tip of
the
instrument. Thus, the exposed end of the felt bar acts as the "tip" or
contact point of the instrument. The felt bar transfers the disinfectant from
the reservoir to the tip of the instrument which becomes the contact point.
~ A cap that covers the contact point and prevents evaporation of the
disinfectant while the instrument is not in use.

CA 02450835 2003-12-15
Sample Design of the hand-held
Sanitary Depression Device
Figure A
1. Casing ( 10 cm long, 1. 5 cm diameter)
2. Fabric/felt bar (2.5 cm long, 0.5 cm diameter)
3. Cap (4.5 cm long, 2.0 cm outer diameter)
1.8 cm inner diameter)
Figure B
1. Casing
2. Fabric/felt bar
Figure C
1. Casing
2. Fabriclfelt bar
3. Cap
4. Cap stopper/sealing ring
5. Reservoir

Representative Drawing