IP Library Granted Patent US 10,422,158
Granted Patent B2
US 10,422,158 · App. 15/711,572 · Granted Sep 24, 2019

Replaceable antimicrobial system

Inventors: Steven M. Strombeck (Arcata, CA); Douglas P. Gibbs (Yuba City, CA); Jason Earl Sannar (Live Oak, CA); John L. Bergenske (Arcata, CA)
Assignee: SafeHandles, LLC
E05B1/0061E05B1/0069B29C35/049B29K2995/0049C09J7/29E05B15/1607Y10T29/4973Y10T29/49826
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,422,158
App. No.
15/711,572
Granted
Sep 24, 2019
Kind
B2
Abstract

A replaceable antimicrobial system for providing a replaceable antimicrobial surface to inhibit and reduce microorganism growth on a surface. The replaceable antimicrobial system generally includes providing an antimicrobial cover, positioning the antimicrobial cover upon an object such as a handle, and securing the antimicrobial cover to the object or removably affixing the antimicrobial cover with adhesive. The securing of the antimicrobial cover is accomplished by heat shrinking the antimicrobial cover upon the object. Alternatively, the securing of the antimicrobial cover is accomplished by an adhesive backing attached to the antimicrobial cover. After a period of time of usage where the antimicrobial cover loses its effectiveness to inhibit microorganisms, the antimicrobial cover is removed and a replaced with a new antimicrobial cover.

Claims (68)

1. A steam applicator, comprising:

an inlet connector configured to fluidly connected to a steam unit and receive steam from the steam unit;

a resilient cover having an inner end, an outer end, a first side and a second side, wherein the inner end of the resilient cover is connected to and extends outwardly from the inlet connector, and wherein the resilient cover is comprised a rubber material;

a steam passage extending from the inner end of the resilient cover to near the outer end of the resilient cover;

a first flexible member and a second flexible member extending from the inner end of the resilient cover to near the outer end of the resilient cover, wherein the first flexible member and the second flexible member are molded within the resilient cover; and

a plurality of first outlets extending through the first side of the resilient cover to fluidly connect to the steam passage, wherein the plurality of first outlets are configured to dispense pressurized steam received from the steam passage.

2. The steam applicator of claim 1 , wherein the first flexible member and the second flexible member are substantially parallel with respect to one another.

3. The steam applicator of claim 2 , wherein the first flexible member and the second flexible member are on opposing sides of the steam passage.

4. The steam applicator of claim 3 , wherein the portion of the resilient cover surrounding the first flexible member and the second flexible member has a thickness less than the thickness of the resilient cover surrounding the steam passage.

5. The steam applicator of claim 1 , wherein the first flexible member and the second flexible member are on opposing sides of the steam passage.

6. The steam applicator of claim 1 , wherein the first flexible member and the second flexible member are each comprised of elongated flat members.

7. The steam applicator of claim 1 , wherein the first flexible member and the second flexible member are connected to the inlet connector.

8. The steam applicator of claim 1 , wherein the first flexible member and the second flexible member are each comprised of a metal material that is bendable.

9. The steam applicator of claim 1 , wherein the resilient cover is comprised of a thermoplastic rubber.

10. The steam applicator of claim 1 , wherein the steam passage includes a tubular member extending through the resilient cover.

11. The steam applicator of claim 1 , including a stopper member positioned within a distal portion of the steam passage.

12. The steam applicator of claim 11 , wherein the stopper member is comprised of a spherical member.

13. The steam applicator of claim 11 , wherein the stopper member is comprised of a spherical metal ball.

14. The steam applicator of claim 1 , including a plurality of second outlets extending through the second side of the resilient cover to fluidly connect to the steam passage, wherein the plurality of second outlets are configured to dispense pressurized steam received from the steam passage.

15. The steam applicator of claim 14 , wherein the plurality of first outlets and the plurality of second outlets are each equidistantly spaced part.

16. The steam applicator of claim 14 , wherein the plurality of first outlets are each positioned opposite of a corresponding of the plurality of second outlets.

17. A steam applicator, comprising:

an inlet connector configured to fluidly connected to a steam unit and receive steam from the steam unit;

a resilient cover having an inner end, an outer end, a first side and a second side, wherein the inner end of the resilient cover is connected to and extends outwardly from the inlet connector, and wherein the resilient cover is comprised a rubber material;

a steam passage extending from the inner end of the resilient cover to near the outer end of the resilient cover;

a first flexible member and a second flexible member extending from the inner end of the resilient cover to near the outer end of the resilient cover; and

a plurality of first outlets extending through the first side of the resilient cover to fluidly connect to the steam passage, wherein the plurality of first outlets are configured to dispense pressurized steam received from the steam passage;

wherein the first flexible member and the second flexible member are substantially parallel with respect to one another;

wherein the first flexible member and the second flexible member are on opposing sides of the steam passage;

wherein the portion of the resilient cover surrounding the first flexible member and the second flexible member has a thickness less than the thickness of the resilient cover surrounding the steam passage;

wherein the first flexible member and the second flexible member are each comprised of elongated flat members;

wherein the first flexible member and the second flexible member are connected to the inlet connector;

wherein the first flexible member and the second flexible member are each comprised of a metal material that is bendable.

18. A steam applicator, comprising:

an inlet connector configured to fluidly connected to a steam unit and receive steam from the steam unit;

a resilient cover having an inner end, an outer end, a first side and a second side, wherein the inner end of the resilient cover is connected to and extends outwardly from the inlet connector, and wherein the resilient cover is comprised a rubber material;

wherein the resilient cover is comprised of a thermoplastic rubber;

a steam passage extending from the inner end of the resilient cover to near the outer end of the resilient cover;

a first flexible member and a second flexible member extending from the inner end of the resilient cover to near the outer end of the resilient cover; and

a plurality of first outlets extending through the first side of the resilient cover to fluidly connect to the steam passage, wherein the plurality of first outlets are configured to dispense pressurized steam received from the steam passage;

a plurality of second outlets extending through the second side of the resilient cover to fluidly connect to the steam passage, wherein the plurality of second outlets are configured to dispense pressurized steam received from the steam passage;

wherein the first flexible member and the second flexible member are substantially parallel with respect to one another;

wherein the first flexible member and the second flexible member are on opposing sides of the steam passage;

wherein the portion of the resilient cover surrounding the first flexible member and the second flexible member has a thickness less than the thickness of the resilient cover surrounding the steam passage;

wherein the first flexible member and the second flexible member are each comprised of elongated flat members;

wherein the first flexible member and the second flexible member are connected to the inlet connector;

wherein the first flexible member and the second flexible member are each comprised of a metal material that is bendable

wherein the first flexible member and the second flexible member are molded within the resilient cover;

a stopper member positioned within a distal portion of the steam passage.

19. The steam applicator of claim 18 , wherein the plurality of first outlets and the plurality of second outlets are each equidistantly spaced part, and wherein the plurality of first outlets are each positioned opposite of a corresponding of the plurality of second outlets.

20. A steam applicator, comprising:

an inlet connector configured to fluidly connected to a steam unit and receive steam from the steam unit;

a resilient cover having an inner end, an outer end, a first side and a second side, wherein the inner end of the resilient cover is connected to and extends outwardly from the inlet connector, and wherein the resilient cover is comprised a rubber material;

a steam passage extending from the inner end of the resilient cover to near the outer end of the resilient cover;

a first flexible member and a second flexible member extending from the inner end of the resilient cover to near the outer end of the resilient cover;

wherein the first flexible member and the second flexible member are substantially parallel with respect to one another;

wherein the first flexible member and the second flexible member are on opposing sides of the steam passage;

wherein the portion of the resilient cover surrounding the first flexible member and the second flexible member has a thickness less than the thickness of the resilient cover surrounding the steam passage; and

a plurality of first outlets extending through the first side of the resilient cover to fluidly connect to the steam passage, wherein the plurality of first outlets are configured to dispense pressurized steam received from the steam passage.

21. The steam applicator of claim 20 , wherein the first flexible member and the second flexible member are each comprised of elongated flat members.

22. The steam applicator of claim 20 , wherein the first flexible member and the second flexible member are connected to the inlet connector.

23. The steam applicator of claim 20 , wherein the first flexible member and the second flexible member are each comprised of a metal material that is bendable.

24. The steam applicator of claim 20 , wherein the resilient cover is comprised of a thermoplastic rubber.

25. The steam applicator of claim 20 , wherein the steam passage includes a tubular member extending through the resilient cover.

26. The steam applicator of claim 20 , including a stopper member positioned within a distal portion of the steam passage.

27. The steam applicator of claim 20 , including a plurality of second outlets extending through the second side of the resilient cover to fluidly connect to the steam passage, wherein the plurality of second outlets are configured to dispense pressurized steam received from the steam passage.

28. The steam applicator of claim 27 , wherein the plurality of first outlets and the plurality of second outlets are each equidistantly spaced part.

29. The steam applicator of claim 27 , wherein the plurality of first outlets are each positioned opposite of a corresponding of the plurality of second outlets.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 13, 2017
From: STROMBECK, STEVEN M., MR.; GIBBS, DOUGLAS P., MR.; SANNAR, JASON EARL, MR.; BERGENSKE, JOHN L., MR.
To: SAFEHANDLES, LLC
Reel/Frame 044389/0101 →
Continuity (4)
Continuation In Part 13975757 · Aug 26, 2013
Provisional Application 61775178 · Mar 8, 2013
Provisional Application 61740144 · Dec 20, 2012
Related Publication 20180044939A1 · Feb 15, 2018
Cited By (1)
US 12,411,527