EP0976356A2 - Sèche-main - Google Patents

Sèche-main Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0976356A2
EP0976356A2 EP99202357A EP99202357A EP0976356A2 EP 0976356 A2 EP0976356 A2 EP 0976356A2 EP 99202357 A EP99202357 A EP 99202357A EP 99202357 A EP99202357 A EP 99202357A EP 0976356 A2 EP0976356 A2 EP 0976356A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
ozone
hand dryer
housing
air
generated
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP99202357A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0976356A3 (fr
Inventor
Mike Prince
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Ozone Industries Ltd
Original Assignee
Ozone Industries Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Ozone Industries Ltd filed Critical Ozone Industries Ltd
Publication of EP0976356A2 publication Critical patent/EP0976356A2/fr
Publication of EP0976356A3 publication Critical patent/EP0976356A3/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47K—SANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
    • A47K10/00—Body-drying implements; Toilet paper; Holders therefor
    • A47K10/48—Drying by means of hot air

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a hand dryer incorporating an ozone generator, particularly, although not exclusively for use in toilets or washrooms.
  • Electric, warm-air hand dryers that blow a stream of warm air from a housing are well known. Typically, they are used in public toilets and washrooms for drying hands. Because of the warm, moist conditions, the interior casing of these hand dryers has been cited as a potential breeding ground for bacteria, which can be blown onto the hands of users of the dryer - with the attendant risks.
  • a hand dryer comprising a housing having an air inlet and air outlet, a fan and heater housed in the housing, means for operating the fan and the heater to thereby generate a stream of warm air for output via the air outlet, and ozone generating means housed within the housing, for generating ozone from the air within the housing, for circulation within the housing, the ozone generating means being operable to generate the ozone during periods when the warm air is not been generated.
  • This has the advantage of providing a hand dryer, which is self disinfecting.
  • the generated ozone may also be circulated, though the air outlet, to an external environment.
  • the ozone generator comprises a DC electricity supply across the electrodes to produce the ozone. This has the additional effect of producing ions as well as ozone which have been found to improve the effectiveness of the disinfecting process.
  • a hand dryer 1 comprises a housing 2.
  • the housing 2 has an air inlet 3 and an air outlet 4.
  • the air outlet 4 also includes a directional nozzle 12, which serves to direct a stream of air generated by the hand dryer in a required direction.
  • the fan 5 is driven by an electric motor 7.
  • the electric motor 7 and the electric heater 6 are coupled to a power supply 9, typically the mains power supply, via a control unit 8.
  • the control unit 8 is also coupled to an internal switch (not shown) or a button 10 mounted on the exterior of the housing 2 for switching the hand dryer between an idle and an active state.
  • an ozone generator 11 Also provided within the housing 2 is an ozone generator 11.
  • the ozone generator 11 can be of any suitable type, and is operable to produce ozone from air within the vicinity of the ozone generator 11.
  • the ozone generator 11 is also coupled to the control unit 8, and power supply 9.
  • the fan 5 When the dryer 1 is in an idle state, that is not being used to provide a stream of warm air for drying, the fan 5 is running at a slow speed, sufficient to draw air into the housing 2 via the air inlet 3, through the interior of the housing, and then out via the air outlet 4.
  • air is also passed in the vicinity of the ozone generator 11, thereby generating a quantity of ozone from the circulating air, which is then circulated out of the housing 2 through the air outlet 4, to the external environment 13 in which the dryer 1 is located.
  • the ozone generator 11 can be provided at any suitable location, for example on a printed circuit board for the control unit 8, or mounted on its own printed circuit board. It is well known, that ozone is an effective deodoriser, and, as such, the ozone produced by the hand dryer 1, and circulated out through the air outlet 4 serves to deodorise the external environment 13, such as a washroom, within which the hand dryer 1 is located. Some of the ozone generated will also circulate within the housing 2 thereby disinfecting the interior of the housing 2 and so reducing, or eliminating entirely, bacteria breeding within the housing 2.
  • the hand dryer 1 When the button 10 is pressed by a user of the hand dryer 1 who wishes to dry is hands or face, the hand dryer 1 operates in an active state, in which the fan 5 begins to run at a higher rate thereby generating a faster stream of air for output via the air outlet 4. At the same time, the heater 6 is switched on thereby warming the generated stream of air flowing out of the air outlet 4 such that it is sufficient to dry hands or face.
  • the ozone generator 11 is switched off, and ozone is no longer produced.
  • the hand dryer 1 reverts to the idle state, in which the fan 5 reverts to running at the slower rate, the heater 6 is switched off, and the ozone generator 11 is switched back on, after a predetermined length of time, or by a second push of the button 10.
  • a button to switch the hand dryer to and/ or from the idle state to active state by means of a sensor (not shown) which detects the presence of hands or face adjacent the air outlet 4, and switches the hand dryer between the two states as appropriate.
  • the ozone generator comprises a DC electricity supply across the electrodes to produce the ozone.
  • This has the additional effect of producing ions as well as ozone which have been found to improve the effectiveness of the dryer.
  • This combination of the ozone and the ions is to efficiently clean and sanitise the hand dryer and prevent the build up of any bacteria in any of the working parts of the hand dryer.
  • the DC supply may be provided by the power supply means by means of a suitably rated transformer and rectifier, or alternatively by means of a battery.
  • the hand dryer 1 can be operable to produce ozone continuously while it is in the idle state, or it can be operable to produce ozone for a predetermined length of time after the dryer 1 has been in the active state - for example for a 30 minute duration - after which time, the ozone generator 11, and the fan 5, are switched off.
  • the fan 5 when in the idle state, can also be switched off. In this case, ozone is only produced to disinfect the interior of the housing, but not to deodorise the external environment.
  • any suitable ozone generator can be used, as can be any suitable means of producing a stream of warm air suitable for drying.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Disinfection, Sterilisation Or Deodorisation Of Air (AREA)
  • Apparatus For Disinfection Or Sterilisation (AREA)
  • Drying Of Solid Materials (AREA)
EP99202357A 1998-07-31 1999-07-19 Sèche-main Withdrawn EP0976356A3 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9816632 1998-07-31
GBGB9816632.5A GB9816632D0 (en) 1998-07-31 1998-07-31 A hand dryer

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0976356A2 true EP0976356A2 (fr) 2000-02-02
EP0976356A3 EP0976356A3 (fr) 2001-01-10

Family

ID=10836451

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP99202357A Withdrawn EP0976356A3 (fr) 1998-07-31 1999-07-19 Sèche-main

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0976356A3 (fr)
GB (2) GB9816632D0 (fr)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2005023322A1 (fr) * 2003-09-09 2005-03-17 Eurovent Singapore Moyen de soufflage d'air
GB2413283A (en) * 2004-04-23 2005-10-26 Grahame Peter Green A washroom scent delivery apparatus
WO2016144152A1 (fr) * 2015-03-10 2016-09-15 Salazar Tamez Juan Ruben Sèche-mains à générateur d'ozone

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2358350A (en) * 2000-01-19 2001-07-25 David Richard Hallam Hand drier with ozone producing electrostatic field
US8211374B2 (en) 2003-07-18 2012-07-03 David Richard Hallam Air cleaning device
GB0515749D0 (en) 2005-07-30 2005-09-07 Dyson Technology Ltd Drying apparatus
GB0515750D0 (en) 2005-07-30 2005-09-07 Dyson Technology Ltd Drying apparatus

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH03207363A (ja) * 1990-01-08 1991-09-10 Mihama Seisakusho:Kk 手乾燥殺菌装置

Family Cites Families (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3766397A (en) * 1972-04-12 1973-10-16 T Rockson Sterilizing hand dryer
DE7538941U (de) * 1975-12-06 1976-04-29 Bienek, Artur, 5500 Trier Haendetrockner
JPH01114633A (ja) * 1987-10-27 1989-05-08 Nippon Shokubai Kagaku Kogyo Co Ltd 脱臭および殺菌装置付エア・コンディショナー
JPH06102083B2 (ja) * 1992-11-04 1994-12-14 富士工業株式会社 水酸基イオンガスを用いた室内空気清浄器
JPH0819596A (ja) * 1994-07-07 1996-01-23 Ichikou Giken Kk 空気清浄器
KR0182545B1 (ko) * 1995-05-18 1999-05-01 김광호 공기조화기의 냄새제거장치 및 그 제어방법
JPH1027671A (ja) * 1996-07-09 1998-01-27 Toto Ltd コロナ放電装置

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH03207363A (ja) * 1990-01-08 1991-09-10 Mihama Seisakusho:Kk 手乾燥殺菌装置

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 015, no. 478 (C-0891), 4 December 1991 (1991-12-04) -& JP 03 207363 A (MIHAMA SEISAKUSHO:KK;OTHERS: 02), 10 September 1991 (1991-09-10) *

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2005023322A1 (fr) * 2003-09-09 2005-03-17 Eurovent Singapore Moyen de soufflage d'air
GB2413283A (en) * 2004-04-23 2005-10-26 Grahame Peter Green A washroom scent delivery apparatus
WO2016144152A1 (fr) * 2015-03-10 2016-09-15 Salazar Tamez Juan Ruben Sèche-mains à générateur d'ozone

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0976356A3 (fr) 2001-01-10
GB9916349D0 (en) 1999-09-15
GB2340035B (en) 2000-08-09
GB2340035A (en) 2000-02-16
GB9816632D0 (en) 1998-09-30

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
WO2004078016A1 (fr) Seche-mains
KR102329659B1 (ko) 옷장용 공기 청정기 및 그 제어방법
EP0976356A2 (fr) Sèche-main
JP4803208B2 (ja) 浴室空調装置
JP2004211959A (ja) 浴室空調装置
JP3816351B2 (ja) 浴室用空調機
JP3782315B2 (ja) 浴室用空調機
JP2005226947A (ja) 浴室用静電霧化装置
KR20030025854A (ko) 전기식 가습기
CN112179068B (zh) 消毒锅、消毒锅的安全烘干方法
KR200334441Y1 (ko) 다목적 블로워
JP3850679B2 (ja) 浴室用空調機
JP3821060B2 (ja) 浴室暖房換気乾燥機
KR200379898Y1 (ko) 클린룸
JP4255280B2 (ja) 浴室空調装置
JP3992942B2 (ja) 浴室用空調機
JP2803402B2 (ja) トイレ装置
JP2004144306A (ja) 洗面所空調機
WO2000007491A1 (fr) Dispositif de commande d'appareil d'emission d'air
KR200337716Y1 (ko) 음이온 표시부를 구비한 공기 청정기
JP4192817B2 (ja) イオン発生装置付き温風機
JP2002315695A (ja) トイレ室
JP2013142332A (ja) 送風装置
JP2777793B2 (ja) トイレ装置
JP2005226946A (ja) 静電霧化装置を有する浴室

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Free format text: AL;LT;LV;MK;RO;SI

PUAL Search report despatched

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009013

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A3

Designated state(s): AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Free format text: AL;LT;LV;MK;RO;SI

RIC1 Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant

Free format text: 7A 47K 10/48 A, 7C 01B 13/11 B

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20010618

AKX Designation fees paid

Free format text: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20031014

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN

18D Application deemed to be withdrawn

Effective date: 20050201