GB2596398A

GB2596398A - Hand Sanitising apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2596398A
Application number: GB2106006.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Dougan Kieran
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2020-05-07
Filing date: 2021-04-27
Publication date: 2021-12-29
Also published as: GB202106006D0; WO2021224591A1

Abstract

Apparatus (100, 101, fig. 1) for sanitising a hand of a moving person, comprising at least one elongate channel region 110 defining a longitudinal opening between a first end and a second end of the channel region 110; at least one first nozzle 116 located within the channel region; at least one second nozzle located within the channel region substantially opposite to the first nozzle; at least one sensor 126 to detect a hand moving along the channel region 110 towards the second end; and a controller for selectively dispensing a predetermined amount of sanitising fluid from each nozzle 116 responsive to a signal received from the at least one sensor 126. In one embodiment each nozzle 116 is coupled to a first reservoir for containing sanitising fluid. There may also be a second reservoir for containing sanitising fluid coupled to the first reservoir. A system for sanitising both hands of a moving person, comprising a pair of said apparatuses (200, fig. 1) spaced apart from each other to define a passageway therebetween for a person to move along and the longitudinal opening of each respective channel region 110 are oriented substantially parallel to each other.

Description

HAND SANITISING APPARATUS

The present invention relates to hand sanitisers and in particular, but not exclusively, to an automatic hand sanitiser apparatus for quickly and efficiently applying a hand sanitising solution to a person's hand/s.

Prior to the current Covid-19 pandemic, research by the National Security Council's Directorate for Global Health Security and Biodefense was confident that a new pandemic was inevitable and it was a case of when, and not if, such a situation came about, hence the Directorate studied past pandemics to measure both the human and financial costs to society along with the financial costs of making preparations to ensure a rapid response to any new pandemic. As part of this research, the Directorate established that within several months of a pandemic being brought under control, society moved back to a pre-pandemic status in terms of the mitigation measures that were introduced to kerb the spread of the virus, which is understandable when considering the range of measures currently in place to reduce the spread of Covid-19 ranging from total lockdown, closure of non-essential businesses through to social distancing, working from home, regular washing of hands, and the more fundamental action of using disposable tissues to contain coughs and sneezes.

The scope of measures imposed or recommended range from extreme to basic and unfortunately society is unable to operate within the extreme end of the range which includes total lockdown, closure of non-essential businesses, social distancing and working from home, but society can function normally, or near to normal, with the more basic measures of regular washing of hands and containment of coughs and sneezes into disposable tissues because neither of these measures significantly disrupt normal daily life.

In April 2020, the UK Prime Minister wrote to every household in the UK updating everyone on steps being taken to combat coronavirus (Covid-19) and an extensive guidance leaflet included a page dedicated to stopping the infection spreading by listing six actions people can take, the first being washing of hands and the second being covering one's mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.

Studies by University College London concluded that the spread of the infection can be reduced by 25% and the rate of spread will be dramatically reduced if hands are cleaned more frequently.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) advise that hand washing is a key activity everyone should undertake in order to reduce the transmission of bacteria and, where soap and water is available, hand washing is a generally recommended course of action. However, where such facilities are not available, or may not be so convenient, independent hand washes, wipes and hand sanitiser liquids or gels serve a similar purpose.

A great number of locations such as supermarkets, railway and Underground stations, airports, hospitals, commercial office blocks, sports stadiums, and Government buildings, and the like, require the unimpeded flow of pedestrian traffic gaining access and exiting such facilities, and peak pedestrian flow levels far exceed the daily average flow.

The use of typical wall-mounted hand sanitiser dispensers, as typically seen at hospital doorways and other locations under heightened sanitary conditions, are unsuitable for dealing with high levels of pedestrian flow, particularly if the pedestrian flow rate is to be safely maintained at a desired level. Therefore, it is inevitable that a significant proportion of pedestrian traffic would bypass the wall mounted units rather than disrupt and delay their normal pace, which would in turn increase the risk of an infection spreading. Furthermore, conventional wall-mounted units typically require the user to manually push a lever to dispense a sanitising solution into the palm of their hand. The user is then required to transfer some of the solution to the other hand and over as much of both hands as possible which is not an efficient or consistent means of properly sanitising both hands.

The use of wall-mounted or freestanding automatic hand sanitisation units that operate without the need for the user to physically activate a sanitiser dispensing mechanism are known and allow more users to apply hand sanitiser in a set period of time. However, they too require the user to stop and stand at the unit whilst applying the hand sanitiser to only one side of the hand, typically into the palm, and then to transfer some of the solution over as much of both hands as possible. In turn, disruption and delay of the flow of pedestrian traffic occurs while each application takes place. Therefore, again, this is not an efficient and consistent means of properly sanitising both hands, particularly for high levels of pedestrian flow.

It is an aim of certain embodiments of the present invention to provide a hand sanitising apparatus for efficiently and consistently applying a sanitising solution to both sides of a hand in a single operation.

It is an aim of certain embodiments of the present invention to provide a hand sanitising apparatus for efficiently applying a sanitising solution to both sides of a hand whilst the person keeping moving.

It is an aim of certain embodiments of the present invention to provide a system for sanitising both sides of both hands whilst the person keeping moving through the system.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided apparatus for sanitising a hand of a moving person, comprising: at least one elongate channel region defining a longitudinal opening between a first end and a second end of the channel region; at least one first nozzle located within the channel region; at least one second nozzle located within the channel region substantially opposite to the first nozzle; at least one sensor to detect a hand moving along the channel region towards the second end; and a controller for selectively dispensing a predetermined amount of sanitising fluid from each nozzle responsive to a signal received from the at least one sensor.

Optionally, each nozzle is coupled to a first reservoir for containing sanitising fluid.

Optionally, the apparatus further comprises at least one second reservoir for containing sanitising fluid and coupled to the first reservoir.

Optionally, the at least one second reservoir comprises an accumulator tank for containing said fluid at a second pressure which is greater than a first pressure of the fluid in the first reservoir.

Optionally, the apparatus further comprises at least one transfer pump coupled to the controller for transferring sanitising fluid from the first reservoir to the at least one second reservoir, or vice versa.

Optionally, the apparatus further comprises a first level sensor coupled to the controller for monitoring a level of sanitising fluid in the first reservoir, and wherein the controller is configured to operate the at least one transfer pump to transfer sanitising fluid from the at least one second reservoir to the first reservoir responsive to a signal from the first level sensor.

Optionally, the apparatus further comprises at least one second level sensor coupled to the controller for detecting when a first one of the second reservoirs is empty, and wherein the controller is configured to operate the at least one transfer pump to transfer further sanitising fluid from a second one of the second reservoirs into the first reservoir responsive to a signal from the second level sensor.

Optionally, the at least one sensor for detecting a user's hand comprises a first sensor located proximal the first end of the channel region.

Optionally, a longitudinal axis of the channel region is oriented substantially horizontally and an axis extending perpendicularly from the longitudinal axis and through the longitudinal opening is oriented substantially horizontally.

Optionally, the first end and second end of the channel region are substantially open.

Optionally, the first end of the channel region is wide relative to the second end of the channel region.

Optionally, the nozzles are located proximal to the wide first end of the channel region.

Optionally, the channel region tapers in depth and/or width and/or height from the wide first end towards the narrow second end.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a system for sanitising both hands of a moving person, comprising a pair of apparatuses according to the first aspect of the present invention, wherein the apparatuses are spaced apart from each other to define a passageway therebetween for a person to move along and the longitudinal openings of each respective channel region are oriented substantially parallel to each other.

Optionally, the first end of the channel region of a first one of said apparatuses faces the second end of the channel region of a second one of said apparatuses such that the nozzles of each apparatus are axially spaced apart with respect to an axis of the passageway therebetween to allow a person to sanitise a first hand by the first one of the apparatuses followed by a second hand by the second one of the apparatuses whilst continually moving along the passageway.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of sanitising a hand of a moving person, comprising: dispensing a sanitising fluid to both sides of a person's hand from a plurality of nozzles arranged substantially opposite each other within an elongate channel region of a hand sanitising apparatus responsive to at least one sensor sensing the hand located in and moving along the elongate channel region in a direction from a first end to a second end of the channel region.

Optionally, the method comprises inserting the hand into the channel region via the first end, moving the hand along the channel region, and removing the hand from the second open end of the channel region.

Optionally, the channel region tapers in depth and/or width and/or height from the 5 wide first end towards the narrow second end.

Optionally, the method comprises simultaneously dispensing sanitising fluid from the plurality of nozzles to each side of a hand in a single operation.

Optionally, the method comprises providing a pair of said apparatus spaced apart from each other to define a passageway therebetween for the person to move along and wherein the elongate channel regions of each apparatus are oriented substantially parallel to each other to allow the person to sanitise each hand by a respective one of the apparatuses whilst continually moving along the passageway.

Optionally, the first end of the channel region of a first one of said apparatuses faces 20 the second end of the channel region of a second one of said apparatuses such that the nozzles of each apparatus are axially spaced apart with respect to an axis of the passageway therebetween.

Description of the Drawings

Certain embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 illustrates a graphical representation of a system comprising a pair of 30 freestanding and spaced apart hand sanitising apparatus according to certain embodiments of the present invention between which a person moves to sanitise both hands without stopping; Figure 2 illustrates a schematic representation of the sanitising region of the head unit of each apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 3 illustrates a schematic representation of the various components inside the base unit of each apparatus of Figure 1; Figures 4a and 4b illustrate isometric views of each side of an alternative embodiment of the present invention without side panels on the base frame; lo Figure 4c illustrates a side view of the apparatus of Figures 4a and 4b; Figure 5a illustrates an isometric view of a further alternative embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5b illustrates a side view of the apparatus of Figure 5a; and Figure 5c illustrates a magnified view of the sanitising region of the apparatus of Figures 5a and 5b.

Detailed Description

As illustrated in Figure 1, a system 200 includes a pair of freestanding and spaced apart hand sanitising apparatus 100,101 each comprising a base unit 102 and a head unit 104. The base unit 102 is substantially rectangular in shape having a substantially flat base surface 106 for engaging the floor and an upper surface for supporting the head unit 104. This provides a relatively large footprint area and in turn a particularly stable apparatus with a relatively low centre of gravity. The upper surface may provide a relatively flat shelf surface 108. The base unit 102 may alternatively be any suitable shape to house the various components contained therein. However, a substantially elongate base unit 104 relative to a direction of movement of a person moving between the pair of apparatus 100,101 desirably acts to urge and guide a person towards and through the system. Where the system is intentionally located within a thoroughfare, as opposed to being wall-mounted to the side of a thoroughfare, individuals would have to make a deliberate and conscious

S

decision not to use the apparatus such that the apparatus and system according to certain embodiments of the present invention will desirably result in more people sanitising their hands than would otherwise occur at a particular thoroughfare, such as a supermarket entrance, airport security, hospital doors, or the like.

A substantially elongate top surface 108 of each base unit 102 also allows each base unit to be identical and the respective head unit 104 mounted thereon in either a right-hand or left-hand configuration, whilst also optionally allowing the head units 104 to be arranged in a staggered formation, as illustrated.

A staggered formation of the head units 104 desirably provides more time for a user to first sanitise their left hand using the first apparatus 100 in the system 200 followed by their right hand using the second apparatus 101 in the system 200 whilst continuing to move through the system 200 in a direction indicated by arrow A in Figure 1. Alternatively, the head units 104 may be arranged substantially opposite each other such that a user sanitises both hands substantially at the same time whilst continuing to move through the system 200 in the direction of arrow A. A staggered formation of the head units 104 also desirably allows users that are carrying an item/s, such as a bag, to transfer it/them to one hand and then the other hand according to which hand is being sanitised which ensures swift and efficient sanitisation of both hands and continuous forward movement of the person, and following people, through the system. A person may walk through the system or may be transported through the system on a conveyor, or the like.

Each head unit 104 has a substantially U-shaped cross-sectional profile to thereby provide a continuous and elongate channel region 110 having open end regions 112,114 allowing a person to move their respective hand into, along, and out of the channel region 110 in a continuous motion as the person moves through the system 200. The outer profile of each head unit 104 is substantially oval in shape having a curved outer surface, but each head unit may alternatively define a substantially part-square or part-circular U-shape cross-sectional profile, for example, whilst still providing the continuous open-ended channel region 110. The channel region may define a substantially curved inner surface or, as illustrated, the inner surfaces of the channel region may be substantially orthogonal. The channel region of each illustrated apparatus is substantially horizontally oriented with its longitudinal opening facing inwardly towards the other apparatus. Alternatively, and less preferably, the channel region may be oriented substantially vertically with its longitudinal opening facing upwardly. Furthermore, the ends of the channel region may be closed instead of being open, whilst the channel region and longitudinal opening defined thereby is relatively long to allow a person to insert a hand into the channel region, move the hand along the channel region for sanitisation and optional drying (as described below) and remove the hand from the channel region whilst continually moving with respect to the apparatus.

As illustrated in Figure 2, the head unit 104 of each apparatus 100 includes a first mounting plate 112 disposed on the upper inner surface of the head unit proximal to the elongate opening of the channel and a second mounting plate 114 disposed on the lower inner surface of the head unit proximal to the elongate opening of the channel and vertically opposite the first mounting plate 112.

Each mounting plate 112,114 supports a nozzle 116 coupled to a source of sanitiser, such as a liquid sanitising solution, as described further below. Aptly, each nozzle 116 may be an atomising nozzle. Depending on the form of sanitiser being used, and the degree of coverage required, the nozzles may be pump-fed or use a combination of a pump and compressed air to enhance flow and control of the sanitising solution dispensed from the nozzles. The nozzles are located substantially centrally in the channel region and opposite each other to thereby evenly apply sanitising fluid, such as a spray/mist of sanitiser liquid, to a respective side of the hand substantially simultaneously. Alternatively, the nozzles may be longitudinally spaced apart so as not to be located directly opposite each other and such that one side of the hand is sanitised before the other side as the user moves their hand along the channel region. As described below, one or more sensors may be suitably placed along the channel region to detect the presence of the hand and allow the controller to activate the respective nozzle accordingly. Additional nozzles may be provided in the channel region, such as substantially opposite the longitudinal opening of the channel region.

Each nozzle 116 is located in a recessed region 118 to which air, aptly warm air, is selectively provided to aid drying of the hand after the same has been sprayed on each side with sanitising solution by a respective nozzle. Each recessed region 118 may be substantially elongate or circular or the like, and may be configured to guide the air towards the user's hand. Alternatively, or additionally, one or more apertures or slots may be provided to either or both sides of each nozzle to act as dryer outlets for drying the hand after sanitisation. Each recessed region 118 or aperture/s is coupled by a suitable conduit 120 to a source of forced airflow, such as a compressor or fan. Alternatively, or additionally, the or each drying outlet may be used as a suction inlet to create a localised negative pressure region and controllably draw a mist of sanitiser droplets dispensed from an opposed nozzle towards and around the hand for efficient sanitisation thereof. This may be desirable when the nozzles are longitudinally spaced apart and operated sequentially rather than simultaneously.

At least the second mounting plate 114 includes a recessed region 122 configured to act as a drip tray in which the respective nozzle 116 is located to capture excess or dripping sanitiser dispensed from the opposed nozzle and efficiently drain the same away for disposal or re-use. The drip tray region 122 is coupled by a suitable conduit/s 124 to a waste container or to return to the source of sanitiser.

At least one of the mounting plates 112,114 further includes a sensor 126 located proximal at least one end region thereof for detecting the presence of a user's hand at least entering the channel region 110 of the head unit 104 from one direction. The sensor 126 may be a proximity or motion sensor, for example. At least one of the mounting plates may have a sensor located proximal each end region for detecting the presence of a user's hand entering the channel region of the head unit from either direction. Alternatively, the first mounting plate 112 may include a first sensor located proximal a first end of the channel region and the second mounting plate 114 may include a second sensor located proximal a second end of the channel region. Further alternatively, as illustrated, the or each sensor arrangement may comprise a light-emitting element 126a on the first mounting plate and a light-receiving/sensing element 126b on the second mounting plate such that a signal is sent to a controller responsive to a hand passing through the light beam. Further alternatively, one sensor may be configured to detect a hand entering the channel region 110 and the other sensor may be configured to detect the hand leaving the channel region. Aptly, a sensor/s configured to detect a hand entering the channel region sends a signal to the controller to start dispensing sanitiser from the nozzles 116, either immediately or after a predetermined time to allow the hand to reach the respective nozzle/s. Aptly, a sensor/s configured to detect the hand leaving the channel region sends a signal to the controller to stop dispensing sanitiser from the nozzles, either immediately or after a predetermined time, or the controller may be configured to automatically stop dispensing sanitising solution from the nozzles after a predetermined time without the need for a sensor/s to detect the hand leaving the channel region.

At least one of the mounting plates 112,114 optionally further includes an illumination device, such as an LED, to illuminate at least the entrance of the channel region 110 for ease and encouragement of use. Aptly, two pairs of opposed LEDs are provided to illuminate at least both ends of the channel region and preferably the entire length of the channel region including the nozzle region. The LEDs may be operably coupled to the controller and pulsed in a predetermined sequence when the apparatus is not in use and then continuously illuminated responsive to a hand triggering the sensor/s when the apparatus is being used. If at least one LED or the like is provided proximal each end of the channel region, one of the LEDs may illuminate green when the apparatus is not being used to indicate to a person that the apparatus is ready and into which end of the channel region the person should insert their hand. The other LED located proximal the exit end of the channel region may illuminate red to indicate to a person not to insert their hand into the exit end of the channel region. Aptly, the coloured LEDs may change to a white illumination once the apparatus is in use.

As illustrated in Figure 3, the base unit 102 houses a plurality of sanitiser reservoirs 128, preferably in the form of replaceable cartridges each having a dip tube 129 extending towards its base. Alternatively, a single, refillable sanitiser reservoir may be provided. A display device 132 aptly indicates to an authorised person the level in each cartridge and when an empty cartridge requires replacing with a full cartridge. Each cartridge 128 is fluidly coupled to a header tank 134 by a respective conduit. A pump 136, a flow sensor 138 and an anti-syphon valve 140 each operably coupled to the controller 130 are provided along each conduit to selectively control and monitor the flow of sanitising solution from the respective cartridge 128 to the head tank 134. The inline pumps 136 are used to transfer sanitiser solution from the cartridges 128 to the header tank 134 in sequential order and the fluid sensors 138 detect when no fluid is being transferred indicating the respective cartridge is empty. The controller 130 is configured to activate the inline pump for the next cartridge to continue filling the header tank when the previous cartridge in the row is empty. A predetermined level is maintained in the header tank 134 by means of a level sensor 141 provided therein and coupled to the controller 130 to start the filling procedure from the cartridges 128 when a level in the header tank falls below a predetermined minimum level. Alternatively, instead of having respective inline pumps 136, a single transfer pump may be provided to draw sanitising fluid from one of the cartridges when a respective inline valve is selectively opened by the controller. Further alternatively, each cartridge 128 may have its own level sensor coupled to the controller instead of an inline flow sensor, or further alternatively the controller may be configured to monitor a power demand of the or each transfer pump and detect when no fluid is being pumped based thereon. The header tank and cartridge arrangement desirably provides a relatively large amount of sanitiser to be stored in the apparatus which therefore reduces maintenance and associated downtime. The cartridges may be recyclable and returnable to the manufacturer for refilling and reuse which is environmentally friendly.

A dispensing pump 142 is provided in the header tank 134 to selectively pump a predetermined amount of sanitiser solution therefrom to the nozzles 116 responsive to a signal being received by the controller 130 from the sensor/s 126 when a hand enters the channel region 110. The dispensing pump 142 is aptly an electric pump but may be mechanically operated by a user engaging their wrists against one or more rotatable elements, such as elongate rods like a turnstile, to manually operate the pump and dispense sanitiser from the nozzles. A mechanical pump may be desirable in locations where a power supply is not available or possible.

An optional compressor unit 144 is used to provide a compressed air supply to the nozzles 116 if desired. A waste tank 146 is provided to collect excess sanitiser solution that collects in the drip tray region 122.

An optional blower 148 is provided for selectively blowing air into the channel region from the air outlets 118 responsive to a signal received from the controller 130. The signal may be based on a predetermined time period after the sensor/s located proximal the first end of the channel region has/have been triggered or after sanitiser has been dispensed from the nozzles 116, or in response to a further sensor being triggered by the hand moving towards the exit end of the channel region after sanitisation has taken place. The blower may be stopped in response to the sensor/s located proximal the second end, e.g. exit end, of the channel region being triggered indicating the hand has left the channel region, or the controller may be configured to stop the blower after a predetermined time following the sensor/s proximal the first end being triggered or after sanitisation. The blower may be configured to provide an air curtain for drying the user's hand when removing the same from the channel region 110 and/or to also ensure any excess sanitiser left on the surfaces of the channel region and which has not been drained away is evaporated to leave the channel region in a dry and sanitised state which may be particularly desirable when a water-based sanitiser is used.

Aptly, the display device 132 is coupled to the controller 130 to display information such as the total number of uses, the number of uses since the last maintenance operation and/or cartridge replacement or the like, and may also provide an indication to an authorised user of cartridge levels and when an empty cartridge requires replacing and/or when the apparatus requires cleaning. This data may be used to create an optimum cleaning regime for a premises, such as a supermarket, to compare against the number of people passing through the premises, such as based on customer transactions, to thereby determine the percentage of customers that sanitise their hands. Such information may be useful when making commercial decisions relating to packaging, cleaning frequency, or the like.

The base unit 102 is coupled to a power supply, such as an onboard battery 150 or a mains supply. The apparatus may be configured to operate remotely and powered by a solar array and/or wind turbine, or the like.

The apparatus is aptly a freestanding unit but may be wall-mounted. Aptly, the channel region of the or each apparatus is located at around waist height for a person to comfortably place a hand in the or each apparatus and move the same along the channel region thereof whilst continually moving with respect to the apparatus or system of apparatus. Aptly, the channel region is sized to easily accommodate a person's hand and to allow the person to move their hand along the channel region without engaging the surfaces thereof.

An apparatus 400 according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in Figures 4a to 4c. The apparatus 400 includes a base frame 402 housing a reservoir tank 404 for containing around 40-80 litres of sanitising liquid.

The reservoir tank 404 is coupled to an accumulator 406 for containing around 8 litres of sanitising liquid at a relatively high pressure of around 8-10 bar which is transferred from the reservoir by a high-pressure diaphragm pump 408. A pressure reducing valve 410 is located between the accumulator 406 and the dispensing nozzles 412 to thereby reduce the pressure of the liquid in the accumulator to a lower pressure of around 5-6 bar to thereby ensure a consistent delivery of sanitiser to both sides of the hand without fluctuations in volume or spray pattern. Desirably, the accumulator 406 is configured to store enough liquid for around 1400 applications before requiring re-filling from the reservoir by the pump.

The base frame 402 supports a head unit 420 which has a first longitudinal side 422 opposed to a second longitudinal side 424. A first recessed channel 423 is defined in the first side 422 of the head unit and a second recessed channel 425 is defined in the second side 424. Alternatively, the head unit 420 may only have one recessed channel on the either side such that the apparatus can be used on the end of a row of spaced apart apparatuses, wherein the intermediate apparatuses between the two end apparatuses each have recessed channels on both sides thereof to respectively accommodate the right hand and left hand of a person walking between two apparatuses, as described further below, and each end apparatus has a single recess channel to receive a right hand or a left depending on the direction of flow of people through the apparatuses. Each channel has a wide first end region 426 tapering in length, height and in depth towards a narrow second end region 428. Alternatively, the channel may taper in length and/or height and/or width from the wide first end towards the narrow second end. Aptly, each channel of the illustrated embodiment substantially resembles half a wine bottle shape in cross sectional profile which tapers in length, height and in depth from the wide first end towards the narrow second end. Alternatively, each channel may resemble a complete wine bottle shape in cross sectional profile. A pair of upper atomising nozzles 430 are located at the wider first end region to direct a mist of sanitising liquid downwardly and onto a first side of a hand placed in the channel. A pair of lower atomising nozzles 432 are located at the wider first end region and opposite the upper nozzles 430 to direct a mist of sanitising liquid upwardly and onto the other side of the hand placed in the channel.

A drainage slot 434 is also located at the wide end region of the channel and the inner surface of the channel is curved and sloped to urge sanitising liquid sprayed on to the channel wall towards and into the drainage slot 434. The drainage slot includes angled end regions to capture waste liquid flowing towards the slot. The drainage slot is coupled by a waste conduit to a waste tank 440 located in the base frame 402. The waste tank may be coupled to the reservoir tank 404 and the pump 408 to recycle the unused waste liquid back into the reservoir tank. Alternatively, the waste tank may be periodically emptied and the contents discarded. A battery 450 is also mounted in the base frame 402 to provide power to the apparatus.

In use, a pair of the apparatus 400 are spaced apart and opposed and parallel to each other. One or more lights, e.g. green, on the front of the adjacent pair of apparatuses may indicate to a user that the apparatuses defining a particular passageway therebetween are operational. The person approaches the passageway defined by the spaced apart apparatuses and first enters their left hand into the wide end region 426 of the first channel 423 of the left-hand side apparatus with respect to the person. The wide, open end region of the left-hand side first channel 423 encourages the person to first enter their left hand therein, as opposed to in the narrow end region of the right-hand side second channel 425. The person continues to walk along the passageway defined by the opposed apparatuses with their hand face up or down, and a sensor detects the presence of the hand when proximal and/or when located between the nozzles. A predetermined volume of sanitising liquid in the form of an atomised mist is controllably released by the upper and lower nozzles to efficiently cover both sides of the hand in a single operation.

The person continues to move along the passageway and, in view of the longitudinal distance between the nozzles of the right-hand side apparatus, they have time to swap any bags or the like they are carrying to their left hand which has now been sanitised. Furthermore, in view of the tapering depth and width of the channel, the person is urged to remove their left hand from the first channel as they progress along the passageway. The right hand is placed in the right-hand side second channel 425 and moved along the channel, either face up or down, towards the wide end region thereof. The increasing depth and width of the channel as the person progresses along the passageway encourages the person to further insert their hand into the second channel. A sensor senses the presence of the right hand approaching and/or when located between the nozzles and sprays a predetermined volume of sanitising liquid in the form of an atomised mist on both sides of the right hand. The person continues along the passageway, removes their right hand from the wide, open end region of the second channel 425 and exits the passageway for the next person to enter the passageway. Aptly, the lights on the front of the units may be illuminated red whilst a person is walking through the passageway to signal to a waiting person not to enter the passageway. The lights may then turn green when the person has exited the passageway to signal to the waiting person that they may now enter the passageway. A speaker may be provided to create an audible sound during spraying and/or a light may be illuminated to indicate a sanitising operation has been successful/completed. Adjacent units defining a sanitising passageway may be configured to communicate with each other via a wired or wireless connection. For example, if a malfunction occurs on one unit, it may communicate this to the opposed unit across the passageway such that a light on both units will change to a permanent red colour, for example, to indicate to waiting people that sanitising passageway is out of action.

An apparatus 500 according to a further alternative embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in Figures 5a to 5c. The apparatus 500 is similar in construction and operation to the apparatus of Figures 4a to 4c but wherein the head unit 520 defines opposed elongate and recessed channel regions 523,525 in the respective longitudinal sides 522,524 thereof each of which resemble a complete wine bottle shape in cross sectional profile. As in the embodiment illustrated in Figures 4a to 4c, the recessed channel profiles are oriented in opposed directions, such that when a pair of apparatus are spaced apart and substantially parallel with each other to define a passageway therebetween, the channel of the left-hand side apparatus has a leading wide end region and a trailing narrow end region, and the channel of the right-hand side apparatus has a leading narrow end region and a trailing wide end region. Such an arrangement allows a person walking through the passageway, particularly whilst carrying one or more bags for example, to be encouraged first to sanitise their left hand by the left-hand side apparatus and then their right hand by the right-hand side apparatus whilst continuing along the passageway and not stopping to put down their bag/s or the like which in turn reduces the chance of 'bottlenecks' in respect of people approaching the sanitising apparatuses and maximises the footfall through said apparatuses. The leading wide end region of the left-hand apparatus encourages an approaching person to locate their left hand therein and the elongate channel further encourages them to keep moving their left hand along the channel towards and through the narrow end region.

The inwardly tapering transition region between the wide end region and the narrow end region of the channel guides the user's hand towards the longitudinal axis of the channel as it is moved along the channel such that it enters the narrow region substantially centrally. The transition region also reduces in depth to urge the user's hand outwardly as it moves along the channel and into the shallower narrow end region of the channel. At this point, the user is encouraged to withdraw their left hand from the channel and place their right hand in the channel of the right-hand apparatus after, optionally, swapping an object being carried, e.g. a bag, from the right hand to the left hand. The leading narrow end region of the right-hand apparatus similarly indicates to the person the right-hand apparatus is for sanitising their right hand and encourages them to place their right hand into the channel after their left hand has been sanitised by the left-hand apparatus and move their right hand through the trailing wide end region and then out of the right-hand apparatus. A person not carrying any objects, such as a bag, may of course locate each hand into the respective channel at the start of the passageway and move both hands along each channel at the same time if they so choose.

Each channel 523,525 defines a sanitising region 550 proximal to the wide end including a pair of upper atomising nozzles 530 and a pair of lower atomising nozzles 532 to respectively direct a mist of sanitising liquid downwardly and upwardly onto both sides of a hand placed in the sanitising region 550 of the channel. The lower nozzles 532 are mounted in a lower nozzle plate 533 fixed to a recessed drain surface 552 which slopes in a direction into the channel to urge sanitising liquid towards a drain hole 554 connected to the waste tank located in the base frame 502. As illustrated in Figure Sc, the upper nozzles 530 are located between two spaced apart pairs of lights 556, such as LEDs, coupled to the controller. Two of the four lights aptly emit a white light to illuminate the sterilising region 550 to indicate to a person approaching the apparatus the location of the sterilising region and that it is operational and ready for use. The other two lights aptly emit a blue light or the like to indicate when the nozzles are operational and atomised sterilising fluid is being emitted therefrom. An additional light emitting device may be provided, such as an ultraviolet light emitting device for preventing the growth of bacteria in the sterilising region 550. The upper nozzles and lights are mounted in an upper nozzle plate 553 fixed to the upper inner surface of the channel. A motion sensor 558 is also mounted in the upper nozzle plate 553 for detecting the presence of a hand in the sanitising region 550 and signalling to the controller to spray sanitising liquid from the upper and lower nozzles at a predetermined time (immediately or delayed) and for a predetermined duration.

Certain embodiments of the present invention therefore provide a freestanding, walk-through apparatus which allows a user to apply hand sanitiser while maintaining a forward motion/forward momentum. The apparatus according to certain embodiments of the present invention is configured to automatically apply a sanitiser to both sides of the hand and all over the hand, including the fingers and thumb, in a single operation. Two apparatus may be placed with sufficient space between them to allow the user to walk between the same and efficiently and fully sanitise both hands without impeding their forward motion. The user is not required to touch any surface of the apparatus and is able to continue moving forward which is particularly desirable to optimise hygiene levels and reduce the spread of infection in situations where the number, density and flow rate of people is relatively high. The risk of sanitiser being incorrectly applied to a hand and not providing full coverage is significantly reduced as the apparatus does not rely on the user manually spreading sanitiser after receiving it from a conventional dispenser. The apparatus and system according to certain embodiments of the present invention is easier for disabled users with limited functionality of their hands to use compared to conventional manually-operated and wall-mounted dispensing devices. Often a conventional sanitiser dispenser releases excess liquid as it is difficult to predict how wasteful the user will be when spreading it over their hands. The apparatus and system according to certain embodiments of the present invention reduces waste and around 0.5ml of sanitiser can provide adequate sanitisation if applied correctly. Disposable towelling is commonly provided with conventional sanitiser dispensers to dry this excess liquid from the hand/s after application. However, in view of the apparatus and system according to certain embodiments of the present invention requiring less sanitiser for a consistent and even application of the same to both sides of the hand, and the optional blower to dry the hand after sanitisation, this unnecessary waste can be avoided.

Claims

Claims 1. Apparatus for sanitising a hand of a moving person, comprising: at least one elongate channel region defining a longitudinal opening between a first end and a second end of the channel region; at least one first nozzle located within the channel region; at least one second nozzle located within the channel region substantially opposite to the first nozzle; at least one sensor to detect a hand moving along the channel region towards the second end; and a controller for selectively dispensing a predetermined amount of sanitising fluid from each nozzle responsive to a signal received from the at least one sensor.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each nozzle is coupled to a first reservoir for containing sanitising fluid.
3. The apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising at least one second reservoir for containing sanitising fluid and coupled to the first reservoir. 20
4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the at least one second reservoir comprises an accumulator tank for containing said fluid at a second pressure which is greater than a first pressure of the fluid in the first reservoir.
5. The apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, further comprising at least one transfer pump coupled to the controller for transferring sanitising fluid from the first reservoir to the at least one second reservoir, or vice versa.
6. The apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a first level sensor coupled to the controller for monitoring a level of sanitising fluid in the first reservoir, and wherein the controller is configured to operate the at least one transfer pump to transfer sanitising fluid from the at least one second reservoir to the first reservoir responsive to a signal from the first level sensor.
7. The apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising at least one second level sensor coupled to the controller for detecting when a first one of the second reservoirs is empty, and wherein the controller is configured to operate the at least one transfer pump to transfer further sanitising fluid from a second one of the second reservoirs into the first reservoir responsive to a signal from the second level sensor.
8. The apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one sensor for detecting a user's hand comprises a first sensor located proximal the first end of the channel region.
9. The apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein a longitudinal axis of the channel region is oriented substantially horizontally and an axis extending perpendicularly from the longitudinal axis and through the longitudinal opening is oriented substantially horizontally.
10. The apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the first end and second end of the channel region are substantially open.
11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the first end of the channel region is wide relative to the second end of the channel region.
12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the nozzles are located proximal to the wide first end of the channel region.
13. The apparatus according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the channel region tapers in depth and/or width and/or height from the wide first end towards the narrow second end.
14. The apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one elongate channel region comprises a first open-ended channel region defined in a first side of the apparatus and a second open-ended channel region defined in a second side of the apparatus opposed to the first side.
15. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the first open end of the first channel region is a wide open end and the first open end of the second channel region is a narrow open end, and wherein the second open end of the first channel region is a narrow open end and the second open end of the second channel region is a wide open end.
16. A system for sanitising both hands of a moving person, comprising a pair of apparatuses according to any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus are spaced apart from each other to define a passageway therebetween for a person to move along and the longitudinal openings of each respective channel region are oriented substantially parallel to each other.
17. The system according to claim 16, wherein the first end of the channel region of a first one of said apparatuses faces the second end of the channel region of a second one of said apparatuses such that the nozzles of each apparatus are axially spaced apart with respect to an axis of the passageway therebetween to allow a person to sanitise a first hand by the first one of the apparatuses followed by a second hand by the second one of the apparatuses whilst continually moving along the passageway.
18. A method of sanitising a hand of a moving person, comprising: dispensing a sanitising fluid to both sides of a person's hand from a plurality of nozzles arranged substantially opposite each other within an elongate channel region of a hand sanitising apparatus responsive to at least one sensor sensing the hand located in and moving along the elongate channel region in a direction from a first end to a second end of the channel region.
19. The method according to claim 18, comprising inserting the hand into the channel region via the first end, moving the hand along the channel region, and removing the hand from the second open end of the channel region. 30
20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the first end of the channel region is wide relative to the second end of the channel region.
21. The method according to claim 20, wherein the channel region tapers in depth and/or width and/or height from the wide first end towards the narrow second end.
22. The method according to claim 20 or 21, wherein the nozzles are located proximal to the wide first end of the channel region.
23. The method according to any of claims 18 to 22, comprising simultaneously dispensing sanitising fluid from the plurality of nozzles to each side of a hand in a single operation.
24. The method according to any of claims 18 to 23, comprising providing a pair of said apparatus spaced apart from each other to define a passageway therebetween for the person to move along and wherein the elongate channel regions of each apparatus are oriented substantially parallel to each other to allow the person to sanitise each hand by a respective one of the apparatuses whilst continually moving along the passageway.
25. The method according to claim 24, wherein the first end of the channel region of a first one of said apparatuses faces the second end of the channel region of a second one of said apparatuses such that the nozzles of each apparatus are axially spaced apart with respect to an axis of the passageway therebetween.