FR3109106A1 - Hand or object washing system - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system (1) for washing hands or objects, having a body comprising an upper cavity forming an active volume (50), in which the washing is carried out, comprising a bottom forming a receiving tank (5). ) and two longitudinal walls (6), said system further comprising: a plurality of washing nozzles (2) configured to distribute a plurality of washing jets comprising a cleaning fluid, said washing jets forming an angle adapted to prevent any splash and having a pressure suitable for cleaning hands or objects, at least one passage opening (9) for distributing a flow of hot or cold air for drying hands or objects, exhaust openings (4 ) used fluid having been used for washing, said discharge openings (4) being arranged at the bottom of the receiving tank (5) and being connected to active suction devices to accelerate the discharge of the used fluid. Abstract figure: Figure 1

Description

Hand or object washing system

The present invention relates to the field of hygiene. More specifically, the invention relates to a system for washing and/or disinfecting hands or objects.

STATE OF THE ART

To wash and/or disinfect the hands, it is known today to use water and/or a cleaning and/or disinfectant liquid or gel.

In particular, we use soap or a hydroalcoholic gel with which we rub our hands carefully. With soap, in particular, it is recommended to follow the following sequence to obtain effective washing: wet the hands; then apply soap; then rub the hands palm against palm with a rotational movement; then rub the interdigital spaces between them, palm against palm and fingers intertwined, while exercising a movement from front to back; then rub the interdigital spaces again between them, palm of one hand against back of the other hand, and vice versa, always with a movement from front to back; then rinse the hands; then turn off the tap using a disposable towel.

The associated problems are the time required, the risk that the required sequence is not completely respected (and therefore that the hands are not in fact cleaned and/or disinfected satisfactorily) and the high consumption of water.

However, in a sensitive environment (hospital environment, food industry, etc.), the repetition of these hand washing gestures and the time required for each are detrimental. The health risk is exacerbated.

There is therefore a need for a washing system that is effective in terms of cleaning and/or disinfection, and at the same time rapid.

It is noted that a preferred application lies in hand washing, in particular but not exclusively, for nursing staff. However, other applications, and in particular the use of a washing system according to the invention for washing objects are also envisaged.

In particular, the present invention makes it possible, according to one embodiment, to obtain hand washing with a satisfactory quality of cleaning and/or disinfection in 6 seconds.

PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

More specifically, the subject of the invention is a system for washing hands or objects, having a body comprising an upper cavity forming an active volume, in which the washing takes place, defined by an upper opening for the passage of the hands or objects, a bottom forming a receiving tray and two longitudinal walls substantially orthogonal to the bottom, said system further comprising:
a plurality of washing nozzles configured to distribute a plurality of washing jets comprising a cleaning fluid, said washing jets forming a suitable angle to prevent any splashing and presenting a pressure suitable for cleaning hands or objects,
at least one passage opening for distributing a flow of hot or cold air for drying hands or objects,
waste fluid discharge orifices having been used for washing, said discharge orifices being arranged at the bottom of the receiving tank and being connected to active suction devices to accelerate the discharge of the waste fluid.

Advantageously, the plurality of washing nozzles is configured to distribute a plurality of jets of clear wetting water for wetting hands or objects, then the plurality of washing jets for washing hands or objects, then a plurality of jets clear rinsing water for rinsing hands or objects.

Advantageously, the washing nozzles are also configured to distribute a plurality of jets of rinsing water from the receiving tray, after removal of the washed hands or objects.

Advantageously, the system further comprises a plurality of rinsing nozzles configured to distribute a plurality of jets of rinsing water from the receiving tray, after removal of the washed hands or objects.

Advantageously, the system includes an automatic sequencing module configured to perform the following washing sequence:
dispensing the plurality of jets of clear wetting water for a predefined wetting time; Then
dispensing the plurality of jets of cleaning fluid for a predefined cleaning duration; Then
dispensing the plurality of jets of clear rinsing water for a predefined rinsing duration
the distribution of hot or cold air flow for a predefined drying time.

Advantageously, the sequencing module is configured so that the wetting time, the cleaning time and the rinsing time are equal to 2 seconds and the drying time is equal to 5 seconds.

Advantageously, the system also comprises a presence sensor, the system being configured such that, in the event of the presence of hands or of an object in the active volume, the sequencing module triggers the execution of the washing sequence automatically.

Advantageously, the system also comprises a cleaning fluid distribution means independent of the washing nozzles.

Advantageously, the washing nozzles form an angle of between 40° and 50° relative to the plane of a longitudinal wall delimiting the active volume.

Advantageously, the system includes a blower device to generate the flow of hot or cold air for drying hands or objects.

Advantageously, the system comprises an ultraviolet lamp configured to disinfect the hands or the objects in the active volume, after they have been washed.

PRESENTATION OF FIGURES

The invention will be better understood on reading the following description, given solely by way of example, and referring to the accompanying drawings given by way of non-limiting examples, in which identical references are given to similar objects. and on which:

: FIG. 1 is a partial schematic representation of a first example of a system according to the invention;

: FIG. 2 is a partial schematic representation of a second example of a system according to the invention;

: FIG. 3 is a partial schematic representation of the first example, with the hands of a user inserted into the active volume;

: FIG. 4 is an overall schematic representation of the first example;

: FIG. 5 is an overall schematic representation of the second example;

: Figure 6 is a sectional view of the first example;

: Figure 7 is a sectional view of the second example;

: Figure 8 is a sectional view of a washing water dispensing nozzle;

: Figure 9 is an overall schematic representation of said washing water dispensing nozzle.

It should be noted that the figures expose the invention in detail to enable the invention to be implemented, said figures can of course be used to better define the invention if necessary.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a system for washing hands or an object for cleaning and/or disinfection purposes. A preferred use is for hand washing, in particular in a sensitive environment, in one embodiment in particular intended for nursing staff in a hospital environment or not. More broadly, the system according to the invention allows efficient and rapid cleaning of hands or objects.

According to the embodiment shown, the sequence for implementing the washing system according to the invention is as follows.

• pendant quelques secondes, les jets de lavage projettent un produit de nettoyage et/ou de désinfection, notamment un produit désinfectant, du gel hydroalcoolique ou de l’eau savonneuse ;
• après quelques secondes, les jets de lavage projettent de l’eau clair pour le rinçage.

Once the hands are detected by a presence sensor, the washing jets are activated. Especially :

• for a few seconds, the washing jets project a cleaning and/or disinfectant product, in particular a disinfectant product, hydroalcoholic gel or soapy water;
• after a few seconds, the wash jets spray clear water for rinsing.

The two steps above are carried out with powerful jets so that the effectiveness of washing and/or disinfection is optimal.

It is advisable to move your hands forward and backward between the jets for a few seconds, in particular about 6 seconds, so that washing and rinsing are as effective as respecting the recommended washing sequence described in the preamble.

In addition, according to one embodiment, the washing system may comprise a drying device, comprising in particular a blower, with one or more passage openings making it possible to project a stream of hot or cold air for drying the hands.

Optionally, the washing system according to the invention can comprise an ultraviolet emission device in order to complete the disinfection, at the end of the sequence.

It is recalled here again that everything described in the examples as allowing the washing and/or disinfection of hands also applies to the washing and/or disinfection of objects. The system according to the invention can as such be integrated into a kitchen sink or a bathroom sink.

Referring to Figures 1 to 7, there is for example proposed, according to one embodiment, a washing system 1 comprising a body having an upper cavity, open, forming an active volume 50 in which takes place the washing and / or the disinfection.

In particular, the active volume has a substantially parallelepipedic shape with a bottom, corresponding to the receiving tank 5 and two longitudinal walls 6 facing each other and substantially vertical, in other words substantially orthogonal to the bottom. The active volume 50 has, opposite the bottom, an upper opening for the passage of hands 10 or objects to be washed. The bottom is for example concave, being curved in the direction of the active volume 50. The two lateral planes which complete the definition of the active volume 50 are the two planes parallel to each other, orthogonal to the longitudinal walls 6 and located opposite each other, with respect to the active volume 50. The side planes are open, as shown in Figures 1 to 7, or closed to form side walls.

The system comprises at least one row of washing nozzles 2 arranged on at least one longitudinal wall, close to the opening for the passage of hands 10 or objects. Below this at least one row of washing nozzles 2, there is in particular provided at least one row of rinsing nozzles 3. Above said at least one row of washing nozzles 2, there is in particular provided an opening passage 9 of a flow of hot or cold air.

In particular, use is made, for example, of ten to twenty washing nozzles 2 suitable for projecting water as a curtain into the active volume 50. For example, five washing nozzles 2 are arranged on each side of the active volume 50; or ten washing nozzles 2 are arranged on each side of the active volume 50, as shown in Figures 1 to 5.

For example, ten washing nozzles 2 configured to project washing water jets at a pressure of 3 bars for a flow rate of 0.3 liters per minute are provided.

Alternatively, provision is made for six washing nozzles 2 configured to project jets of washing water at a pressure of 3 bars for a flow rate of 1 liter per minute.

In these conditions, and with a projection of washing water for 2 seconds, effective cleaning is obtained quickly and with low water consumption.

With reference to Figures 2 and 5, it is noted that the washing nozzles 2 can dispense only water, to the exclusion of any cleaning product. In this case, as represented in FIGS. 2 and 5, the cleaning product can in particular be distributed outside the active volume 50 by a dedicated distributor 18. Alternatively, the cleaning product can also in this case be distributed by nozzles of distribution of cleaning product dedicated inside the active volume 50.

Referring to Figures 8 and 9, the washing nozzles 2 preferably have a large water distribution angle 20, thanks to an inclined surface arranged opposite the deflecting outlet orifice of said washing nozzles 2 and forming a wide angle deflector. The angle 20 formed by said inclined plane with respect to the axis of the nozzle (the axis of the nozzle corresponding to the orientation of the jet projected by the outlet orifice) is for example between 40° and 50° . Said angle 20 is adapted to improve the quality of cleaning and to prevent splashing outwards from the active volume 50.

In the first example shown in Figures 1, 3 and 4, there is an opening 8 for filling the reservoir 7 with cleaning or disinfectant product visible in the sectional view of Figures 6 and 7.

Above the washing nozzles 2, there is provided, according to one embodiment, an opening 9 for the passage of a flow of hot or cold air for drying the hands 10, after washing and rinsing the hands 10, the washing nozzles 2 being inactive. In particular, the system according to the invention may comprise a blower 19, visible in the sectional view of FIG. 7, to generate said flow of hot or cold air.

Advantageously, the washing system 1 according to the invention also comprises, at the bottom of the active volume 50, in other words in the receiving tank 5, evacuation orifices 4 for the waste water (i.e. say having been used for washing and fallen, due to gravity, to the bottom of the tray 5) provided with a suction device. Said 4 "vacuum" discharge holes allow faster evaluation of waste water.

As shown in Figures 1 to 5, the washing system 1 according to the invention may also include rinsing nozzles 3 for rinsing the receiving tray 5 at the end of the sequence, after drying the hands 10.

• un cycle de mouillage des mains 10 pendant 2 secondes au moyen d’eau claire distribuée par les buses de lavage 2 ;
• un cycle de lavage des mains 10 (pour le nettoyage et/ou les désinfecter) pendant 2 secondes au moyen d’un produit de nettoyage distribué par les buses de lavage 2 ;
• un cycle de rinçage haute pression (3 bars) des mains 10 pendant 2 secondes au moyen d’eau claire distribuée par les buses de lavage 2 ;
• un cycle de séchage des mains 10 pendant 5 secondes au moyen d’un flux d’air chaud ou froid distribué par l’au moins une ouverture de passage ;
• un cycle de rinçage du bac receveur 5, une fois les mains 10 retirées du volume actif 50, pendant 2 secondes, au moyen d’eau claire distribuée par les buses de rinçage 3 ; alternativement, le rinçage du bac receveur 5 peut être effectué via de l’eau claire distribuée par les buses de lavage 2.

When using washing system 1, for optimal results, the inventor recommends the following sequence:

• a cycle of wetting the hands 10 for 2 seconds using clear water distributed by the washing nozzles 2;
• a hand washing cycle 10 (for cleaning and/or disinfecting them) for 2 seconds using a cleaning product dispensed by the washing nozzles 2;
• a high pressure (3 bar) rinsing cycle for the hands 10 for 2 seconds using clear water distributed by the washing nozzles 2;
• a hand drying cycle 10 for 5 seconds by means of a flow of hot or cold air distributed by the at least one passage opening;
• a rinsing cycle of the receiver tray 5, once the hands 10 have been removed from the active volume 50, for 2 seconds, by means of clear water distributed by the rinsing nozzles 3; alternatively, the rinsing of the receiver tank 5 can be carried out using clear water distributed by the washing nozzles 2.

The above sequence can preferably be programmed and run automatically, using a sequencing module configured for this purpose. In particular, the washing system 1 according to the invention may comprise a presence sensor in the active volume 50. Thus, in the event of the presence of hands 10 or of an object in the active volume 50, the above sequence is executed automatically.

It is reminded that other embodiment variants than those described in support of the figures are also covered by this document. In particular, a portable version (not shown) of the washing system 1 is provided, operating without water, the cleaning product being a hydroalcoholic disinfectant liquid.

Claims (11)

System (1) for washing hands (10) or objects, having a body comprising an upper cavity forming an active volume (50), in which washing takes place, defined by an upper hand passage opening (10 ) or objects, a bottom forming a receiving tray (5) and two longitudinal walls (6) substantially orthogonal to the bottom, said system further comprising:
a plurality of washing nozzles (2) configured to distribute a plurality of washing jets comprising a cleaning fluid, said washing jets forming an angle suitable to prevent any splashing and presenting a pressure suitable for cleaning the hands (10) or Objects,
at least one passage opening (9) for distributing a flow of hot or cold air for drying hands (10) or objects,
evacuation orifices (4) for waste fluid having been used for washing, said evacuation orifices (4) being arranged at the bottom of the receiving tank (5) and being connected to active suction devices to accelerate the evacuation of the waste fluid. Washing system (1) according to claim 1, comprising a sequencing module configured so that the plurality of washing nozzles (2) distribute a plurality of jets of clear wetting water for wetting hands (10) or objects then the plurality of washing jets for washing hands (10) or objects then a plurality of jets of clear rinsing water for rinsing hands (10) or objects. Washing system (1) according to claim 1 or 2, in which the washing nozzles (2) are also configured to distribute a plurality of jets of rinsing water from the receiving tank (5), after removal of the hands (10) or washed items. A washing system (1) according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a plurality of rinsing nozzles (3) configured to dispense a plurality of jets of rinsing water from the receiving tray (5), after removal of the hands (10 ) or washed objects. Washing system (1) according to one of the preceding claims combined with claim 2, comprising an automatic sequencing module configured to carry out the following washing sequence:
dispensing the plurality of jets of clear wetting water for a predefined wetting time; Then
dispensing the plurality of jets of cleaning fluid for a predefined cleaning duration; Then
dispensing the plurality of jets of clear rinsing water for a predefined rinsing duration
the distribution of hot or cold air flow for a predefined drying time. A washing system (1) according to claim 5, wherein the sequencing module is configured such that the wetting time, the cleaning time and the rinsing time are 2 seconds and the drying time is 5 seconds. Washing system (1) according to claim 5 or 6, further comprising a presence sensor, the system being configured such that, in the event of the presence of hands (10) or of an object in the active volume (50 ), the sequencing module triggers the execution of the wash sequence automatically. Washing system (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 4, further comprising means for dispensing cleaning fluid independent of the washing nozzles (2). Washing system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the washing nozzles (2) form an angle of between 40° and 50° with respect to the plane of a longitudinal wall (6) delimiting the active volume ( 50). Washing system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a blower device (19) for generating the flow of hot or cold air for drying hands (10) or objects. Washing system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising an ultraviolet lamp configured to disinfect the hands (10) or the objects in the active volume (50), after they have been washed.