Cam-driven liquid or gel applicator device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cam-driven applicator device for dispensing cleaning, sanitizing and / or disinfecting liquid or gel across the external surface of an elongate, three-dimensional object. The device includes one or more wheels configured to be moved along the external surface to impart a rotational motion upon at least one associated cam member, wherein each revolution of the cam member causes actuation of a corresponding nozzle and hence at least one application of liquid or gel through the nozzle onto the external surface. In a particular embodiment, the device stores liquid in a space between an internal frame and an outer housing or in a vessel positioned inside the space to hold the liquid, and the nozzle(s) are spray type nozzles configured to spray the liquid onto the external surface.

Description

CAM-DRIVEN LIQUID OR GEL APPLICATOR DEVICEFIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a cam-driven applicator device for dispensing cleaning, sanitizing and / or disinfecting liquid or gel across the external surface of an elongate, three-dimensional object. In particular, the present invention relates to a device configured to be moved along the external surface of the three-dimensional object to impart a rotational motion upon at least one cam member, wherein each revolution of the cam member causes at least one application of liquid or gel onto the external surface.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] There exist a variety of diseases that humans may contract as a result of coming into contact with virus strains (e.g. viral infections such as the common cold and flu) or dangerous bacteria (e.g. bacterial infections). Once contracted by humans, disease symptoms can vary depending on factors such as the type of disease, the age and health status of the carrier, and various other factors. In mild cases, the symptoms may include mild flu-like symptoms, gastrointestinal effects, discomfort, and loss of productivity. In more serious cases, symptoms can require treatment in hospital, and result in permanent health problems or even death.

[0003] Bacteria and viruses can spread by human-to-human contact and also human- to-surface contact where the bacteria or virus can be picked up through contact with surfaces on which the bacteria or virus exists in an active state. Germs associated with bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, etc, that are capable of causing disease, can be transferred from a dry smooth surface to a clean hand well after the surface has been contaminated.

[0004] Vaccinations have been developed for some strains of virus, but there continue to exist viruses and associated strains for which vaccinations do not exist and may never be successfully developed. Viruses can spread through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes or speaks. People can also be infected by touching a contaminated surface and then, for example, their eyes, mouth or nose.

[0005] It is well understood that hand hygiene is paramount to mitigating the risk of virus and bacteria transmission, with hand washing using soap and the use of hand sanitizers considered among the best preventative measures. Hand sanitizers are often used on hands prior to contacting a surface as a preventative measure, but also after contacting a surface in an effort to kill virus or bacteria that may have been transmitted onto the hands. There are also several anti-bacterial cleaning products available that are used to clean, sanitize and / or disinfect surfaces before and after human contact, with varying levels of strength and effectiveness.

[0006] Hand sanitizers are usually in the form of liquid or gel containing a sufficient amount of alcohol (predominantly ethanol) to kill or reduce the number of germs and bacteria. In the case of hand sanitizers, sanitizing liquids and gels are often stored in a handheld applicator for portable use (e.g. handheld tubes or squeeze bottles), or in a fixed station dispenser which is more often used in public areas such as hospitals, offices, malls and grocery stores. Fixed station dispensers may be mechanically driven, where a user is required to manually cause liquid or gel to be dispensed, or automatic such that liquid or gel is dispensed based upon sensing the presence of a hand within a particular vicinity.

[0007] However, the Applicant has recognised a number of deficiencies associated with existing means of preventing or minimising the occurrence of human-to-surface or surface-to-human transmission of germs associated with virus and bacteria.

[0008] The problem with most hand sanitizer bottles, applicators, etc, is that they are designed for applying liquid or gel to human hands only and not onto surfaces. Therefore, whilst effective in killing or reducing the number of germs and bacteria on a user’s hands and thereby preventing or minimising the occurrence of human-to-surface transmission (i.e. after the hand sanitizer has been applied), they have limited effect in preventing, minimising or addressing the occurrence of surface-to-human transmission.

[0009] Even if one manually applied hand sanitizer to an object, such as a shopping trolley handle for example, the user would be required to rub the sanitizer along the length of the handle and thereby engage in prolonged contact with the handle using their hands to ensure the sanitizing liquid or gel sufficiently covers the entire surface. This is also very likely to result in a significant mess and wastage of sanitizing liquid / gel. Whilst a tissue or hand towel could be used to smear the liquid / gel over the entire surface, the tissue / towelrepresents yet another item that the user needs to carry or be supplied with in order to effect cleaning of the surface.

[0010] A contamination risk also remains in that the user is unlikely to ensure that the majority of the surface area of the handle has received the necessary amount of sanitizing liquid or gel. Accordingly, even if the user was very cautious and applied hand sanitizer to their own hands as well as the trolley handle, in the event a portion of the handle remained contaminated, the user may remain at risk of contacting the contaminated surface and picking up the virus or bacteria after the effect of the sanitizer on their hands wears off. In this regard, it is estimated that hand sanitizer has effect, on average, for a period of approximately two minutes.

[0011] Since hand sanitizer has effect for a relatively short period of time, there is also a problem associated with interactions giving rise to contamination after the initial application of hand sanitizer has worn off. For example, a shopper may become contaminated following an interaction with another shopper, or one or more shelf items, during their visit to a grocery store. If such an interaction occurs after the initially applied sanitizer has worn off, then the shopper and anyone coming into contact with the shopper remains at risk. In this regard, the Applicant has recognised a need for facilitating the quick and easy re-application of liquid or gel onto a manually handled surface, such as a shopping trolley handle, to allow a user’s hands to become re-sanitised during the course of their visit at a particular location.

[0012] The abovementioned problems apply to other three-dimensional objects that a user may encounter, such as hand rails and balustrades. Attendance at a hospital, for example, may involve handling hand rails located in hospital aisles. Similarly, attendance at a sports stadium may involve handling rails and balustrades when walking to and then queuing at certain locations such as toilets or shops within the stadium. Since such objects are likely to be contacted by several hundreds or thousands of people without being sanitized after each contact, they are very likely to give rise to human-to-surface transmission as well as surface-to-human transmission. Whilst this problem could be addressed by having personnel permanently placed at the various locations to sanitize the surfaces following each contact instance, this is not practical and likely to result in significant additional cost for the venue and may affect the commercial viability of the venue and / or event.

[0013] Accordingly, there exists a need for an applicator device that addresses, or at least ameliorates, one or more of the abovementioned problems or provides the public with a useful alternative.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] In a first aspect, the present invention provide a cam-driven liquid or gel applicator device including, an internal frame substantially contoured internally to the shape of an external surface of a three-dimensional object to which liquid or gel is to be applied, the internal frame configured to accommodate: the three-dimensional object or surface portion thereof in a configuration that enables the applicator device to engage the external surface such that the device is moveable therealong, one or more wheels configured to make direct contact with the external surface of the three-dimensional object to facilitate said movement of the device, and at least one nozzle directed towards the external surface of the three-dimensional object, and an outer housing attached to the internal frame in a configuration that provides a space between the internal frame and the outer housing for accommodating said liquid or gel or at least one vessel for holding same, wherein the at least one nozzle, when actuated, draws liquid or gel and applies said liquid or gel through the nozzle to the external surface of the three-dimensional object, and wherein actuation of each nozzle is initiated by a cam member that is rotated based upon rotation of the one or more wheels, each cam member positioned adjacent a corresponding nozzle such that when the device is moved along the three-dimensional object, a rotational motion is imparted on the cam member and each full revolution of the cam member causes at least one actuation of the nozzle.

[0015] In an embodiment, the internal frame of the device is elongate and includes a longitudinal axis.

[0016] In an embodiment, the internal frame includes a longitudinally extending cylindrical body having a flange disposed at each end thereof, wherein the three- dimensional object extends through cylindrical body enabling the device to journal around the three-dimensional object, the three-dimensional object including, a circular crosssection, a square cross-section, an oval cross-section, or a rectangular cross-section. In this regard, the three-dimensional object may be a trolley handle. In other implementations, the three-dimensional object may be a rail, door handle or balustrade.

[0017] In an embodiment, the internal surface of the internal frame cylindrical body includes a series of longitudinally extending ribs which act as stabilisers for the deviceand which ensure that a clearance is maintained between the internal surface of the cylindrical body and the external surface of the three-dimensional object.

[0018] In an embodiment, the outer housing includes two half-cylinder segments which when attached form a cylindrical enclosure over the internal frame, the outer housing being attached to the flanges disposed at each end of the cylindrical body using fasteners, wherein end portions of the two half-cylinder segments and each flange include coaxial apertures for receiving the fasteners and each end portion further includes grooves that provide passage for a fastening device. For example, these components may be held together using one or more screws, a weld, glue and / or clips.

[0019] In an embodiment, the three-dimensional object is dimensioned such that the applicator device engages with the surface portion thereof without journalling around the object. In this regard, the surface portion may be a curved surface of a three-dimensional object that includes a larger dimension than the device.

[0020] In an embodiment, the internal frame accommodates at least two radially spaced apart wheels that enable the device to move along the external surface of the three-dimensional object in a sliding motion. For example, the two wheels may be separated radially by 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 or 180 degrees.

[0021] In an embodiment, the at least two wheels are also longitudinally spaced apart.

[0022] In an embodiment, at least one wheel includes an associated cam member wherein rotation of the at least one wheel causes corresponding rotation of the associated cam member which in turn causes actuation of a corresponding nozzle.

[0023] In an embodiment, any wheel that does not include an associated cam member operates solely to facilitate movement of the device and is not responsible for actuating a nozzle.

[0024] In an embodiment, the internal frame accommodates four wheels including a first and second wheel adjacent one end of the frame which are radially separated by approximately 180 degrees, and a third and fourth wheel positioned adjacent an opposite end of the frame which are also radially separated by approximately 180 degrees.

[0025] In an embodiment, the first and third wheel are substantially longitudinally aligned, and the second and fourth wheel are substantially longitudinally aligned.

[0026] In an embodiment, the device includes a first and a second nozzle wherein one of the first and second wheels has an associated cam member for causing actuation of the first nozzle, and one of the third and fourth wheels has an associated cam member for causing actuation of the second nozzle, whilst the remaining two wheels do not include an associated cam member and hence operate solely to facilitate movement of the device.

[0027] In an embodiment, each nozzle includes, a fixed body that extends substantially longitudinally, and a head which when moved relative to the fixed body causes the nozzle to be actuated, the head positioned to be linearly moved relative to the fixed body by the rotating cam member at least once for each full revolution of the cam member.

[0028] In an embodiment, the at least one vessel stores liquid, and the nozzle fixed body includes a valve that extends into the at least one vessel, the valve thereby configured to draw liquid up through the body and out through the head of the nozzle when the nozzle is actuated.

[0029] In an embodiment, the nozzle is a spray nozzle which when actuated sprays liquid droplets onto the external surface of the three-dimensional object.

[0030] In an embodiment, the at least one vessel stores gel, and the nozzle is a gel dispensing nozzle which when actuated dispenses gel onto the external surface of the three-dimensional object.

[0031] In an embodiment, the internal frame includes one or more sub-frames associated therewith, each sub-frame extending substantially transversely to the longitudinal axis of the internal frame and configured to support a wheel and a corresponding nozzle by receiving opposite ends of a wheel shaft about which the wheel and any associated cam member rotates.

[0032] In an embodiment, the vessel is a pouch configured to deflate as liquid or gel from inside the pouch is drawn through the nozzle(s), wherein the pouch is re-inflatable based on an additional volume of liquid or gel being transferred into the pouch, the pouchfurther including a longitudinal split to enable the pouch to be fitted over the cylindrical body of the internal frame of the device during assembly of the device.

[0033] In an embodiment, a circular void extends through at least one end portion of the outer housing and corresponding internal frame flange to allow for entry of a valve associated with a syringe device, the syringe device used to pump liquid or gel from inside the syringe through the valve and into the pouch.

[0034] In an embodiment, for three-dimensional objects having a larger surface area as compared with a trolley handle for example, the size and / or number of the device components are scaled up accordingly. For example, for larger surface areas, the device may include one or more of an increased number of nozzles, an increased nozzle size, and an increased vessel size.

[0035] In an embodiment, each wheel includes a contact surface that is shaped substantially in accordance with the shape of the external surface of the object upon which the wheel traverses, wherein the wheel contact surface is configured to ensure one or more of, sufficient traction with the external surface of the three-dimensional object to prevent slippage of the wheel, that traction with the external surface does not restrict the ability of a user to push the device, and allow the wheel to slip rather than rotate when the external surface of the three-dimensional object becomes saturated with liquid or gel, enabling the wheel to act as a clutch and thereby prevent additional depletion of liquid or gel. For example, when the object includes a circular or oval cross-sectional shape, the wheel may include a contact surface that is correspondingly curved. In another example, when the object includes a square or rectangular cross-sectional shape, the wheel may include a flat contact surface.

[0036] In an embodiment, the internal surface of the internal frame cylindrical body includes a series of longitudinally extending ribs which act as stabilisers for the device and which ensure that a clearance is maintained between the internal surface of the cylindrical body and the external surface of the three-dimensional object. In this way, the ribs take the load off the wheel(s) and cam(s) which is particularly useful in situations where additional load is placed on the device from any one direction (eg. by a user of the device).

[0037] In an embodiment, the internal frame and outer housing are made of rigid PE or HDPE material.

[0038] In an embodiment, the nozzle is made of rigid PE or nylon material.

[0039] In an embodiment, the pouch is made of a TPU I TPE or a soft elastomer such as silicone.

[0040] In an embodiment, the contact surface of each wheel and the pouch valve insertion points are made of Santoprene or NBR material.

[0041] In an embodiment, the wheel shaft and rim are made of rigid acetyl or nylon.

[0042] In a further aspect, the present invention provides an elongate, three- dimensional object having an external surface, the three-dimensional object including a cam-driven liquid or gel applicator device configured in accordance with any one of the preceding statements for applying liquid or gel to the external surface as the applicator device is moved along the object.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0043] Embodiments of the invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying Figures, in which:

[0044] Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a cam-driven liquid / gel applicator device configured in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, in use on an elongate three-dimensional object of circular cross-section;

[0045] Figure 2 illustrates the applicator device of Figure 1 in an exploded perspective view showing the internal components of the device;

[0046] Figure 3 illustrates an exploded perspective view of solely the internal components of the applicator device of Figure 1 relative to a longitudinal axis;

[0047] Figure 4 illustrates a side view of the internal components shown in Figure 3 in an assembled state, including the wheels and nozzles associated with the applicator device;

[0048] Figures 5A illustrates an enlarged side view of a wheel and an associated nozzle which is actuated via a cam member to apply liquid / gel to the external surface of a three-dimensional object based upon rotation of the wheel, wherein the cam member is shown in a non-actuating position;

[0049] Figure 5B illustrates an enlarged side view of the wheel, nozzle and cam member of Figure 5A, wherein the cam member is shown in an actuating position;

[0050] Figure 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view through a transverse plane of the applicator device of Figure 1 illustrating how the three-dimensional object is engaged by the wheels of the applicator device which have a curved contact surface that substantially corresponds with the contour of the three-dimensional object’s external surface; and

[0051] Figure 7 illustrates a perspective and end view of the applicator device of Figure 1 where the three-dimensional object is a trolley handle.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT(S) OF THE INVENTION

[0052] For simplicity and illustrative purposes, the present disclosure is described by referring to embodiment(s) thereof. In the following description, numerous specific details are set to provide a better understanding of the present disclosure. It will be readily apparent, however, that the discourse may be practiced without limitation to these specific details. In other instances, some features have not been described in detail to avoid obscuring the present disclosure.

[0053] Reference to “cleaning” liquid or gel herein is not strictly limited to formulations which remove germs, dirt and impurities, and may well include stronger formulations such as sanitizers (i.e. to reduce the number of germs on a surface or object to a safe level) and disinfectants that disinfect surfaces or objects (i.e. kill germs). In other words, the word “cleaning” and any variations thereof are used in this specification to describe one or more of cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting.

[0054] Furthermore, it is to be understood that reference to “applying” a cleaning, sanitizing and / or disinfecting liquid or gel to a surface may achieve a number of different outcomes. For example, the application of liquid or gel may be to assist the cleaning of a surface. Alternatively, the application of liquid or gel onto the surface may be for the purpose of sanitizing or disinfecting the surface. In a further alternative embodiment, the application of liquid or gel may be specifically to enable subsequent transfer of the liquid or gel onto another object or surface, e.g. subsequent transfer from the surface to which the liquid or gel is applied to a user’s hands (when the user handles the surface).

[0055] The present invention relates to a cam-driven applicator device (10) for liquid or gel (20), the device (10) configured to be moved (slid) (25) manually or automatically along an elongate three-dimensional object (30) and, in particular, along an external surface (40) thereof for applying liquid or gel onto the surface (40). The three-dimensional object (30) may, for example, be a shopping trolley handle (50), a rail, balustrade, a curved surface, or any other type of object requiring application of a cleaning, sanitizing and / or disinfecting liquid or gel (20).

[0056] According to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 -7, the cam-driven liquid / gel applicator device (10) includes an internal frame (60) having an internal surface that is substantially contoured to the shape of an external surface (40) the three-dimensionalobject (30) to which liquid or gel (20) is to be applied. The internal frame (60) is configured to accommodate the three-dimensional object (30) in a configuration that enables the applicator device (10) to engage the external surface (40) such that the device (10) is moveable (slideable) therealong. In particular, the internal frame (60) accommodates one or more wheels (80) configured to make direct contact with the external surface (40) of the three-dimensional object (30) to facilitate movement of the device (10). The frame (60) also accommodates at least one nozzle (90) (eg. a spray nozzle) directed towards the external surface (40) of the three-dimensional object (30).

[0057] The applicator device (10) shown in Figures 1 to 7 further includes an outer housing (100) attached to the internal frame (60) in a configuration that provides a hollow space (1 10) between the internal frame (60) and the outer housing (100) for accommodating the liquid or gel (20) or one or more vessels (120) for holding same. The at least one nozzle (90) is positioned such that, when actuated, the nozzle (90) draws liquid or gel (20) from inside the hollow space (1 10) and applies the liquid or gel (20) through the nozzle(s) (90) to the external surface (40) of the three-dimensional object (30). Actuation of each nozzle (90) is initiated by a cam member (130) that is rotated based upon rotation of the one or more wheels (80). Each cam member (130) is positioned adjacent a corresponding nozzle (90) such that when the device (10) is moved along the three-dimensional object (30), a rotational motion is imparted on the cam member (130) and each full revolution of the cam member (130) causes at least one actuation of the nozzle (90).

[0058] The internal frame (60) and outer housing (100) may be made of any suitable rigid or semi-rigid material, including polyethylene (PE) or High-density Polyethylene (HDPE) material. The nozzle (90) may also be made of PE or a nylon material, for example.

[0059] In the embodiment shown, the three-dimensional object (30) has a circular cross-section and may, for example, be a supermarket trolley handle as shown in Figure 7. However, it is to be understood that the object (30) to which liquid or gel is applied could include different shapes and sizes and may be an object other than a trolley handle, such as a rail, door handle or balustrade (not shown). For example, in an alternative embodiment, the three-dimensional object (30) may have a square, oval or rectangular cross-section (not shown). In a further alternative embodiment, the three-dimensionalobject (30) may include a surface portion (eg. a curved surface) that is engaged by the applicator device (10) such that the applicator device (10) does not fully journal around the object (30) but rather only makes contact with a surface portion thereof.

[0060] The internal frame (60) illustrated in the accompanying drawings includes a longitudinally extending cylindrical body (132) through which extends the three- dimensional object (30) of circular cross section, and disposed at each end of the cylindrical body (132) are end flanges (134) of larger diameter as compared with the cylindrical body (132). The outer housing (100) includes two half-cylinder segments which when attached form a cylindrical enclosure over the internal frame (60). In this regard, the outer housing segments are attachable to the flanges (124) disposed at opposite ends of the internal frame (60) using a fastener such as a screw, glue, clips, etc, as described in greater detail further below.

[0061] The longitudinal axis (140) of the internal frame (60) is shown in Figure 3. Figure 3 is similar to Figure 2 although focuses solely upon the internal components of the device (10) which in the embodiment shown include four wheels (80) which rotate about respective wheel shafts (150), two nozzles (90) which in the embodiment shown are spray nozzles, and two associated cam members (130). It will be appreciated in Figure 3 that there are two wheels (80) adjacent each opposite end of the frame (60) such that the two wheels (80) adjacent one end are longitudinally aligned with and longitudinally separated from two corresponding wheels adjacent the opposite end. Each of the two wheels located at each end of the frame (60) are radially separated by approximately 180 degrees.

[0062] This represents but one of many possible wheel configurations. It will be appreciated that the device (10) could include as few as a single wheel or up to six or more wheels depending on the particular application requirements of the device (10). The wheels (80) may also be separated radially and longitudinally in different arrangements and to different extents. For example, the two wheels (80) at each end of the frame (60) may be separated radially from one another by less than 180 degrees (eg. by 30, 60, 90, 120 or 150 degrees). The same applies to the number of nozzles (90) used in the device (10) and the wheels (80) with which the nozzles (90) are associated, ie. the device (10) could comprise fewer or more than two nozzles (90) and the nozzles (90) could beassociated with different wheels as compared with that which is shown in the Figures herein.

[0063] Accordingly, in the embodiment shown, only one of each of the two radially spaced apart wheels (80) located at each opposite end of the frame (60) shown in Figure 3 includes an associated cam member (130) for causing actuation of a corresponding nozzle (90). It will be appreciated that the remaining two wheels (80) do not include an associated cam member (130) or nozzle (90). It will be appreciated that the wheels (80) which do not have a cam member (130) operate solely to facilitate movement of the device (10) and are not responsible for actuating a corresponding nozzle (90). It will also be appreciated that in each instance in which a wheel (80) has an associated cam member (130), the cam member rotates together with the wheel (80) about the same wheel shaft (150).

[0064] In summary, the internal frame (60) shown in Figure 3 accommodates four wheels (80) including a first and a second wheel adjacent one end of the frame (60) which are radially separated by 180 degrees, and a third and fourth wheel (80) positioned adjacent an opposite end of the internal frame (60) which are substantially aligned in a longitudinal direction with the wheels on the opposite end, and are also radially separated by 180 degrees. The device (10) shown also includes radially separated and longitudinally spaced apart first and a second nozzles (90), wherein one of the first and second wheels (80) has an associated cam member (130) for causing actuation of the first nozzle (90), and one of the third and fourth wheels (80) on the opposite side has an associated cam member (130) for causing actuation of the second nozzle (90). Again, it is to be understood that this represents but one of many different possible configurations and the scope of the present invention is not to be limited solely to the particular embodiment illustrated herein.

[0065] The internal frame (60) may include sub-frames (160) associated therewith, as also shown in Figure 3. Each sub-frame (160) is configured to support a wheel shaft (150), wheel (80) and corresponding nozzle (90), although as described above not all wheels (80) will require a corresponding nozzle (90). As shown most clearly in Figures 3 and 4, the sub-frame (160) supports the wheel (80) by receiving opposite ends of the wheel shaft (150) about which the wheel (80) and any associated cam member (130) rotates. Wherea wheel (80) has a corresponding nozzle (90), a portion of the nozzle (90) is also received in the sub-frame (160) as described in greater detail below. In the embodiment shown, each wheel shaft (150) that is supported by a sub-frame (160) extends substantially transversely to the longitudinal axis (140) of the internal frame (60).

[0066] During assembly of the device (10), the two half-cylinder segments of the outer housing (100) will be brought together to enclose the internal frame (60), including the sub-frames (160). When these segments are brought into contact, coaxial apertures (162) associated with the two half-cylinder segments and each end flange (134) will be brought into alignment to allow for fasteners such as screws (164) to be used to fasten the components together. Each outer housing segment end portion may further include grooves (166) that enable passage of a fastening device (not shown) such as a screwdriver for tightening the screws (164). In the embodiment shown, screws (164) are used for attaching these components but as mentioned previously other fasteners may equally well be used, including a weld, glue and / or clips.

[0067] As shown most clearly in Figure 4 and in particular in the sequential cam rotation views shown in Figures 5A-5B, each nozzle (90) may include a fixed body (170) that extends substantially longitudinally, and a head (180) which when moved relative to the fixed body (170) causes the nozzle (90) to be actuated. In this regard, the head (180) is positioned to be physically moved relative to the fixed body (170) by the rotating cam member (130) at least once for each full revolution of the cam member (130). It will therefore be appreciated that as the device (10) is moved along a trolley handle (50) or other three-dimensional object (30), the wheels (80) which are in contact with the external surface (40) of the object (30) will be caused to rotate. Those wheels (80) which have a cam member (130) and a corresponding nozzle (90) associated therewith will cause the cam members (130) to also rotate and by way of rotation of the cam member (130), the head (180) of each nozzle (90) will be caused to move linearly to an extent that actuates the nozzle (90) and thereby cause liquid or gel to be applied onto the external surface (40). This is achievable since the nozzle fixed body (170) includes a valve (190) that extends through an entry point (195) into the at least one vessel (120) stored inside the outer housing (100), and the valve (190) is thereby configured to draw liquid (20) up through the body (170) and out through the head (180) of the nozzle (90) when the nozzle (90) is actuated.

[0068] In the embodiments described and illustrated herein, the nozzle (90) is a spray nozzle configured to spray liquid from inside the at least one vessel (120) onto the surface (40). In an alternative embodiment, the at least one vessel (120) may store gel, and the nozzle (90) is a gel dispensing nozzle rather than a liquid spray nozzle, which when actuated dispenses gel onto the external surface (40) of the three-dimensional object (30). The skilled person will appreciate that the nozzle (90) is not limited to a liquid spraying type nozzle and that other types of nozzles that are capable of applying liquid or gel onto the surface (40) upon actuation by the rotating cam member (130) may equally well be incorporated into the device (10).

[0069] As shown most clearly in Figure 6, each wheel (80) may include a contact edge or surface (210) that is shaped substantially in accordance with the shape of the external surface of the object (30) upon which the wheel traverses. For example, when the object (30) includes a circular or oval cross-sectional shape, the wheel (80) may include a contact surface (210) that is correspondingly curved. In another example (not shown), if the object (30) includes a square or rectangular cross-sectional shape, the wheel (80) may include a flat contact surface.

[0070] In the embodiment shown, the wheel contact surface (210) includes ribs which ensure sufficient traction with the external surface (40) of the three-dimensional object (30) to prevent slippage of the wheel (80), whilst also ensuring that traction with the external surface is not so significant that it makes it too difficult for a user to push the device (10). In circumstances where the device (10) is used excessively, the external surface (40) of the object (30) may become saturated with liquid or gel (20). By using wheels (80) having contact surfaces (210) configured in this way allows for wheel slippage to occur (rather than further rotation of the wheel), which enables the wheel (80) to act as a clutch in these circumstances. The skilled addressee will appreciate that the use of such wheels (80) will prevent additional depletion of liquid / gel based on continued use of the device (10).

[0071] The contact surface (210) of each wheel (80) as well as the pouch valve entry points (195) of the vessel (120) may be made of Santoprene or nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) material. The wheel shaft (150) and wheel rim may be made of a rigid acetyl or nylon.

[0072] The skilled addressee will further appreciate that the at least one vessel (120) (which is in the form a single pouch in the drawings) will deflate over time as liquid or gel (20) from inside the vessel (120) is drawn through the nozzle(s) (90). However, the vessel (120) shown may be re-inflated by transferring an additional volume of liquid or gel (20) into the vessel (120). In this regard, a circular void (240) may exist in at least one end flange portion (134) of the outer housing (100) and the enclosed vessel (120) may include a co-aligned insertion point (250) to allow for entry of a valve associated with a syringe device (not shown). The syringe device may then be used to pump an additional volume of liquid or gel (20) from inside the syringe through the valve and into the vessel (120).

[0073] When a single vessel is used, such as the single pouch (120) shown in the Figures, in order to enable the pouch to store as much liquid or gel (20) as possible it is preferable for the pouch to extend around the cylindrical body (132) of the internal frame (60). This is achieved in the embodiment shown with the use of longitudinal split (260) through the pouch which enables the pouch (120) to be fitted over the cylindrical body (132) of the internal frame (60) during assembly of the device (10).

[0074] The pouch may be made of a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) or thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), or a soft elastomer such as silicone. The vessel insertion point (250) may be made of Santoprene or nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) material.

[0075] Whilst possible materials used in the construction of certain components of the device (10) have been described herein, the present invention is not intended to be limited to any one of those materials.

[0076] The internal surface (265) of the cylindrical body (132) of the internal frame (60) is generally a smooth surface but may also include a series of longitudinally extending ribs (270) which act as stabilisers for the device (10) and which ensure that a clearance is maintained between the internal surface of the cylindrical body (132) and the external surface (40) of the three-dimensional object (30). In this way, the ribs (270) take the load off the wheel(s) (80) and cam(s) (130), which is particularly useful in situations where additional load is placed on the device (10) from any one direction.

[0077] It will be appreciated that the device (10) may have application with objects (30) other than trolley handles, and such objects may be significantly larger than trolley handles (50). For three-dimensional objects having a larger surface area as compared with a trolley handle, the size and / or number of the device components may be scaled up accordingly. For example, for larger surface areas, the device (10) may include one or more of an increased number of nozzles (90), an increased nozzle (90) size, and / or an increased vessel (120) size.

[0078] The applicator device (10) could be manufactured for single use whereby the vessel (120) is filled with liquid or gel (20) and is not refillable. Alternatively, the applicator device (10) may be reusable such that the vessel (120) is refillable as previously described.

[0079] The movement of the device (10), i.e. sliding of the device (10) along the elongate object (30), need not be achieved manually and may well be achieved automatically, which would provide benefits since one would not need to manually handle the device (10) in order to apply cleaning, sanitising or disinfecting liquid or gel to a particular surface (40). In one example, a drive unit (not shown) could be incorporated which houses a drive motor (not shown) and the wheels (80) may be positioned to be driven by such a drive motor.

[0080] The device (10) may well include additional features to assist in the operation of the device (10). For example, the outer housing (100) and vessel (120) may be constructed of a transparent material to enable a user to view a level of liquid or gel (20) in the vessel (120) to determine whether the internal chamber requires re-filling. In another example, the outer housing (100) may include a series of internal structural members (280) that are positioned and dimensioned to reinforce the device and in particular to improve the overall rigidity of the device (10).

[0081] The skilled addressee would now appreciate the advantages associated with using the device (10) of the present invention. For example, by using the device (10) on a shopping trolley handle (50) as shown in Figure 7, it may be possible for a user of a shopping trolley to cause the device (10) to slide from one end of the shopping trolley handle to the other with minimal effort from the user in order to uniformly apply sanitizingliquid or gel (20) onto the external surface (40) thereof and to further enable transfer of same onto a user’s hands when handling the shopping trolley handle (50).

[0082] Throughout this specification and claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise”, and variations such as “comprises” and “comprising”, will be understood to mean the inclusion of a stated feature or step, or group of features or steps, but not the exclusion of any other feature or step, or group of features or steps.

[0083] Any reference to prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgement, or any suggestion that, the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

Claims

The claims defining the invention are as follows:1 . A cam-driven liquid or gel applicator device including: an internal frame substantially contoured internally to the shape of an external surface of a three-dimensional object to which liquid or gel is to be applied, the internal frame configured to accommodate: the three-dimensional object or surface portion thereof in a configuration that enables the applicator device to engage the external surface such that the device is moveable therealong, one or more wheels configured to make direct contact with the external surface of the three-dimensional object to facilitate said movement of the device, and at least one nozzle directed towards the external surface of the three- dimensional object; and an outer housing attached to the internal frame in a configuration that provides a space between the internal frame and the outer housing for accommodating said liquid or gel or at least one vessel for holding same; wherein the at least one nozzle, when actuated, draws liquid or gel and applies said liquid or gel through the nozzle to the external surface of the three-dimensional object; and wherein actuation of each nozzle is initiated by a cam member that is rotated based upon rotation of the one or more wheels, each cam member positioned adjacent a corresponding nozzle such that when the device is moved along the three-dimensional object, a rotational motion is imparted on the cam member and each full revolution of the cam member causes at least one actuation of the nozzle.

2. A cam-driven liquid or gel applicator device according to claim 1 , wherein the internal frame of the device is elongate and includes a longitudinal axis.

3. A cam-driven liquid or gel applicator device according to claim 2, wherein the internal frame includes a longitudinally extending cylindrical body having a flange disposed at each end thereof, wherein the three-dimensional object extends through cylindrical body enabling the device to journal around the three-dimensional object, the three-dimensional object including: a circular cross-section,a square cross-section, an oval cross-section, or a rectangular cross-section.

4. A cam-driven liquid or gel applicator device according to claim 3, wherein the internal surface of the internal frame cylindrical body includes a series of longitudinally extending ribs which act as stabilisers for the device and which ensure that a clearance is maintained between the internal surface of the cylindrical body and the external surface of the three-dimensional object.

5. A cam-driven liquid or gel applicator device according to either claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the outer housing includes two half-cylinder segments which when attached form a cylindrical enclosure over the internal frame, the outer housing being attached to the flanges disposed at each end of the cylindrical body using fasteners, wherein end portions of the two half-cylinder segments and each flange include coaxial apertures for receiving the fasteners and each end portion further includes grooves that provide passage for a fastening device.

6. A cam-driven liquid or gel applicator device according to claim 2, wherein the three-dimensional object is dimensioned such that the applicator device engages with the surface portion thereof without journalling around the object.

7. A cam-driven liquid or gel applicator device according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the internal frame accommodates at least two radially spaced apart wheels that enable the device to move along the external surface of the three-dimensional object in a sliding motion.

8. A cam-driven liquid or gel applicator device according to claim 7, wherein the at least two wheels are also longitudinally spaced apart.

9. A cam-driven liquid or gel applicator device according to either claim 7 or claim 8, wherein at least one wheel includes an associated cam member wherein rotation of the at least one wheel causes corresponding rotation of the associated cam member which in turn causes actuation of a corresponding nozzle.

10. A cam-driven liquid or gel applicator device according to claim 9, wherein any wheel that does not include an associated cam member operates solely to facilitate movement of the device and is not responsible for actuating a nozzle.1 1. A cam-driven liquid or gel applicator device according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the internal frame accommodates four wheels including a first and second wheel adjacent one end of the frame which are radially separated by approximately 180 degrees, and a third and fourth wheel positioned adjacent an opposite end of the frame which are also radially separated by approximately 180 degrees.

12. A cam-driven liquid or gel applicator device according to claim 1 1 , wherein the first and third wheel are substantially longitudinally aligned, and the second and fourth wheel are substantially longitudinally aligned.

13. A cam-driven liquid or gel applicator device according to either claim 11 or claim 12, wherein the device includes a first and a second nozzle wherein one of the first and second wheels has an associated cam member for causing actuation of the first nozzle, and one of the third and fourth wheels has an associated cam member for causing actuation of the second nozzle, whilst the remaining two wheels do not include an associated cam member and hence operate solely to facilitate movement of the device.

14. A cam-driven liquid or gel applicator device according to claim 13, wherein each nozzle includes: a fixed body that extends substantially longitudinally, and a head which when moved relative to the fixed body causes the nozzle to be actuated, the head positioned to be linearly moved relative to the fixed body by the rotating cam member at least once for each full revolution of the cam member.

15. A cam-driven liquid or gel applicator device according to claim 14, wherein the at least one vessel stores liquid, and the nozzle fixed body includes a valve that extends into the at least one vessel, the valve thereby configured to draw liquid up through the body and out through the head of the nozzle when the nozzle is actuated.

16. A cam-driven liquid or gel applicator device according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the nozzle is a spray nozzle which when actuated sprays liquid droplets onto the external surface of the three-dimensional object.

17. A cam-driven liquid or gel applicator device according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the at least one vessel stores gel, and the nozzle is a gel dispensing nozzle which when actuated dispenses gel onto the external surface of the three-dimensional object.

18. A cam-driven liquid or gel applicator device according to any one of claims 13 to 17, wherein the internal frame includes one or more sub-frames associated therewith, each sub-frame extending substantially transversely to the longitudinal axis of the internal frame and configured to support a wheel and a corresponding nozzle by receiving opposite ends of a wheel shaft about which the wheel and any associated cam member rotates.

19. A cam-driven liquid or gel applicator device according to any one of claims 13 to 18, wherein the vessel is a pouch configured to deflate as liquid or gel from inside the pouch is drawn through the nozzle(s), wherein the pouch is re-inflatable based on an additional volume of liquid or gel being transferred into the pouch, the pouch further including a longitudinal split to enable the pouch to be fitted over the cylindrical body of the internal frame of the device during assembly of the device.

20. A cam-driven liquid or gel applicator device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each wheel includes a contact surface that is shaped substantially in accordance with the shape of the external surface of the object upon which the wheel traverses, wherein the wheel contact surface is configured to ensure one or more of: sufficient traction with the external surface of the three-dimensional object to prevent slippage of the wheel, that traction with the external surface does not restrict the ability of a user to push the device, andallow the wheel to slip rather than rotate when the external surface of the three- dimensional object becomes saturated with liquid or gel, enabling the wheel to act as a clutch and thereby prevent additional depletion of liquid or gel.

21. An elongate, three-dimensional object having an external surface, the three- dimensional object including: a cam-driven liquid or gel applicator device configured in accordance with any one of the preceding claims for applying liquid or gel to the external surface as the applicator device is moved along the object.

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