Patent attributes
Disclosed herein is a device for dispensing and collecting handle or armature cover material or covers for use, by way of example, with door handles, knobs, and the like. In one embodiment, the device is an automated handle cover dispenser that can include a dual use handle cover refill cartridge for both supplying and collecting handle cover material, or alternatively, a plurality of reels or cartridges (e.g., a supply reel and a take-up reel). The material, when supplied, at least partially covers a handle (e.g., door handle) during use by a consumer. This maintains sanitary integrity of the handle, so as to protect a consumer or other individual from touching an otherwise dirty or unsanitary handle. The dispenser can include at least one cutter for cutting at least one side of the handle cover material so as to facilitate supply, and in particular, collection of the handle cover material. Supply and take-up of the handle cover material can be accomplished by winding and unwinding of the handle cover material within the handle cover refill cartridge(s) (or reel(s) as the case may be). In one embodiment, the handle cover material overlays at least a portion of a handle (which can comprise one or more pieces or sections), door handle, knob, or the like. The dispenser unit can compliment or replace (and thus serve as a retrofit) current lockable or non-lockable door armatures.
