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.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.