GB2423247A

GB2423247A - A hand washing station

Info

Publication number: GB2423247A
Application number: GB0503563A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul Anthony Young
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-02-22
Filing date: 2005-02-22
Publication date: 2006-08-23
Anticipated expiration: 2025-02-22
Also published as: GB0503563D0; GB2423247B

Abstract

A hand washing station that allows the user to wash their hands without touching the station the station also prevents water splash. The station is activated via sensors when the user places their hand in the wash chamber. An extractor fan sucks air through the front of the hand washing chamber pulling air and any excess soap and water back into the chamber thereby allowing the hands to be washed by a high pressure water spray and preventing water from splashing outside of the hand station. Upon removal of the user's hands the hand may be dried on paper towels. Preferably the hand washing station is portable/moveable with umbilical links to power, water and drainage. The station may have a heater to provide warm water and a drain pump to remove water from the chamber.

Description

Anti splash hand sluice

Specification -

The machine will provide instant touch less hand washing and consistent high standard of hand hygiene. The machine is housed in a stainless steel cabinet with an angled top front panel (drawing 1.) and is mounted on wheels with umbilical links to mains electric, water and drainage.

The angled panel has a cut out for the specifically designed hand wash chamber, where the hands are placed spread fingered for cleaning. Because of the anti splash-back air system high pressure water spray can be used to ensure thorough cleaning. The system is activated automatically by placing hands in the chamber where pressurized soap and warm water clean the hands. The chamber is designed with an in ward airflow to ensure a splash free operation. A self-contained water heater provides warm water and the temperature is controlled by a temperature mixer valve. A PC board and various solenoids control the systems operating cycle.

Detailed Description

The Hand Sluice contains a hand wash chamber, (detailed in drawing 2/2) which is an oval barrel shape with an opening at one end attached to the angled top front panel of the cabinet. It incorporates a waste water drain and air outlet at the at the other, The air outlet is at the top end and incorporates at water dam system as shown in the drawing 2/2. This is to stop moisture entering the extractor fan, which is further protected by a foam integral ifiter.

The chamber has rows of high-pressure water spray nozzles surrounding the inside and a further number of pressurized soap nozzles. These are spaced to ensure an even distribution and angled so as not to spray towards the opening of the chamber.

The system is self-contained inside the stainless steel cabinet with water entering by means of an umbilical hose into a pressure pump. A light sensor can be used to activate the system with solenoids and PC board controlling the various functions of the wash cycle. Water is stored and heated in a hot water tank. A thermostatic mixer valve will ensure that released water in the hand wash chamber is at a safe temperature.

When hands are held fingers outstretched into the wash chamber the sensor activates the cycle and pressurized soap is evenly spayed onto them. At the same time the extractor fan is activated sucking air through the front of the chamber pulling excess soap and water back into the chamber. The drain pump is also activated taking liquids out of the machine through and umbilical into the drain. The extractor fan and drain pump remain on throughout the cycle. After sufficient soap has been applied the pressurized warm water is released through the water nozzles. Once sufficient water has been released to ensure that ultimate cleanliness has been achieved the water is switched off. Hands can be removed and dried on paper towels. The drain pump remains on until the system is free of waste liquid.

Claims

Claims Conventional means of hand washing at a wash bowl means that

contact is made at some point on taps, bowl and unless hands are washed thoroughly with an approved technique bacteria can still be present on the hands especially between fingers In medical, indusiriai or food preparation environments hands need to be washed every 20 minutes to ensure bacteria levels remain low and infection from other materials is eradicated.

The Hand Sluice machine incorporates 1) Anti splash back inward airflow assisted hand wash chamber design.
2) Improved speedy efficient method of cleaning hands is where no contact is desirable.
3) Will remove bacteria and harmful materials from all parts of the hands even between fingers in seconds.
4) Can be positioned close to workstation due to portability with us of umbilical links making it more user friendly than conventional wash bowls.
5) Reduced cross contamination due to contact free operation.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows Claims I- 1. Hand wash apparatus comprising: a hand wash chamber, the chamber comprising an opening at one end to allow insertion of a user's hands; a plurality of high pressure water spray nozzles surrounding the inside of the chamber; a plurality of soap nozzles surrounding the inside of the chamber; a waste drain at an end opposite the chamber opening; an air outlet at the end opposite the chamber opening and above the level of the waste drain; and an extractor fan located in the air outlet, wherein the extractor fan sucks air through the chamber, from the chamber opening to the air outlet, and pulls any excess soap and water back into the chamber to prevent splashing.

2. A hand wash apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the air outlet is provided with a water dam to prevent water entering the extractor fan.

3 A hand wash apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the air outlet comprises a foam integral filter.

4. A hand wash apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the hand wash chamber is in the shape of an oval barrel.

S. A hand wash apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the hand wash chamber is angled relative to a base of the apparatus.
6. A hand wash apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the chamber is angled at approximately 45 .
7. A hand wash apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the chamber comprises a sensor which activates a wash cycle when it detects the presence of a user's hands.
8. A hand wash apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the sensor is a light sensor.
9. A hand wash apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the water nozzles and soap nozzles are angled away from the chamber opening.
10. A hand wash apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.