JP2008521520A - Improved sterilization filter device, sterilization device, and sterilization method - Google Patents

Abstract

  An airborne bacterial filter device for use in a device relating to indoor airflow is provided. The air flow passes through the fibrous filter device, and the fibers of the fibrous filter device are given a highly toxic bactericidal substance, which traps bacteria in the air flow and removes it. kill. A charcoal injection filter can remove toxic substances from the air stream and another filter can release beneficial substances into the air stream. The filter device is sealed from ingress of microorganisms. Filter devices are used in hand dryers and other devices so that airflow can be sterilized to the extent that 100% bacteria removal is achieved.

Description

  The present invention relates to improvements in components used in indoor devices, where the indoor device has an internal air flow that is discharged from the indoor device into an indoor human activity environment.

  One aspect of the present invention relates particularly to improvements in filter devices used to sterilize the air flow exiting such indoor devices.

  Another preferred aspect of the present invention relates to features that contribute to the goal of achieving 100% bacterial removal from the air stream.

  Another aspect of the present invention is that the air flow is not limited to hand dryers, hair dryers, vacuum cleaners, ventilation fans (air fans), air conditioners (air conditioners), refrigerators, and clothing tumble dryers. To the improved device.

Indoor devices that draw air from the airflow device and then release this air as an air flow into the indoor human activity environment are known to be mediators that disperse or scatter pathogens, bacteria, and viruses. ing. As a result, people in this environment may easily come into contact with bacteria scattered by the air released from the device.

  For example, as a prior art, there are many hand dryers that discharge warm air to dry hands. It has been considered hygienic to use such a hand dryer. Contrary to expectations, however, these prior art hand dryers have actually proved to be a means of spreading pathogenic bacteria.

  The reason is that the warm air from these prior art hand dryers itself contains airborne bacteria. This is because the hand dryer draws air from the bacteria-containing atmosphere of the toilet and blows a warm pathogen-intake air stream onto the user's wet hands.

  In addition, many people do not keep their hands in warm air long enough to completely dry their hands. As a result, the environment containing warm moisture in the user's hand is ideal for the rapid increase of bacteria sprayed on the hand by the hand dryer.

  Many of the microorganisms in the air stream are not sterilized by the heating element of the hand dryer. Furthermore, the warm air from the hand dryer is an ideal environment for the growth of bacteria. As a result, these living bacteria are sprayed on the user's hand. Indeed, it has been found that such prior art hot air heaters may actually increase the bacterial level up to 500%.

100% hand dryer problems such prior art bacteria removal does not lead to the public facilities, for example, is widely used in public toilets, a particular field of these devices, in particular, the medical field, for example, a hospital Ya There is resistance to use in clinics and even in childcare and food industries.

  For example, a surgeon may wash his hands with an antibacterial liquid or soap prior to performing surgery, if the surgeon's hand is reinfected with bacteria, and the surgeon may also be using warm air from prior art hand dryers. It is useless to try to dry your wet hands.

  Also, in the new millennium, virologists and public health officials predict fatal epidemics and the future global outbreaks of other viruses in terms of when such epidemics occur, not when they occur. Yes. If such a global epidemic breaks out, it can also be predicted that 100% bacteria removal is required for indoor devices that emit airflow. If not, such devices remain a vehicle for spreading deadly viruses in pandemics, especially in public places, even if, for example, 90% of bacteria can be removed. In other words, 100% bacteria removal becomes extremely important during the epidemic.

  Although the air flow devices listed as prior art are adapted to kill bacteria and / or remove bacteria from the air flow of the device, in practice such known products are particularly prone to long-term use, No approaching 100% removal of bacteria from the airflow of the device.

  Even if such prior art devices can sterilize or remove some of the bacteria in the air stream, the ultimate goal of 100% bacteria removal remains difficult to achieve.

  Therefore, at the beginning of the description herein, the purpose of the present invention, 100% removal of bacteria from an air stream, and the sterilization or removal of bacteria, are claimed, but in actual performance bacteria are removed from the air stream, for example 80 %, Even 90% or 95% removal can be distinguished from prior art devices.

  The present invention, aimed at 100% bacteria removal, represents another set of obstacles that are not necessarily aimed at 100% bacteria removal and are not likely to be solved by prior art devices. confronting.

Prior Art In the prior art, attempts have been made to allow the airflow device to produce hot air in a sterilized state. A major area of development in this area has focused on the use of ultraviolet (UV) radiation to sterilize bacteria in the air stream. However, contrary to expectations, it has been confirmed that UV radiation has poor ability to sterilize bacteria in the air stream.

  First of all, it must be remembered that even if UV radiation sterilizes most of the bacteria, in fact, the remaining bacteria in the air stream can still reach the user's hand, and , Begin to increase in minutes matter.

  Second, some microbiologists say that UV radiation does not actually kill bacteria in the sense that UV simply stops the bacteria from growing or multiplying, it just reduces bacteria. Someone has an idea. If this is true, what it means is that the warm air coming out of the UV-based hand dryer still contains live bacteria as an unsanitary content.

  This ultimate sanitization level, i.e. 100% bacteria removal, is particularly important for surgical or medical applications. In this regard, according to laboratory tests conducted by the inventor, there are ultraviolet hand-dried machines currently on the market that kill 100% of the bacteria in the released air stream. do not do.

  Thus, prior art hand dryers are often not convenient for use in medical applications where the most stringent sanitization standards for hands are critical, especially in the field of surgery and medical treatment of open wounds.

  Another problem is that pathogens may collect inside the device for weeks, months or even years. Since the air flow is drawn inside the device, with continuous use, a certain amount of bacteria is always drawn into the machine. In other words, all inner surfaces of the machine that come into contact with the air stream are constantly exposed to bacteria. Over time, the interior of the machine can become a source of bacteria. If the machine is turned off or the machine is not generating airflow, the bacteria inside may continue to grow and multiply. If the prior art device is unable to perform 100% bacteria removal, the remaining bacteria will remain in the device and the inner surface of the device may become a source of bacteria over time.

  Even with other types of devices, these released air streams will disperse bacteria into the room. For example, an air conditioner draws air from either the outdoor or indoor environment and then releases an air flow into the room. Thus, if 100% sterilization or removal of bacteria in the air stream emitted from the air conditioner has not been performed, there may be a gradual net increase of bacteria in the air in the room environment over a period of time. Maybe there.

  As another example, a vacuum cleaner draws bacteria as it sucks up particles from the floor or surface. Filtration in a vacuum cleaner system can filter out particles from the air stream, but bacteria as particulates remain in the air stream. These are scattered into the room environment by the air flow exiting the vacuum cleaner.

  The same phenomenon of sprinkling bacteria is seen in other airflow devices that draw and release airflow. These include, for example, hair dryers, fans, and clothes dryers. In the case of a clothes dryer, air containing bacteria is drawn from the indoor environment and blown onto the clothes.

  Even in the case of a refrigerator, the refrigerator draws air, releases air containing bacteria into the refrigerator's refrigerated chamber, and exposes food to bacteria.

  Some objectives in some aspects of the invention are one or more that allow a device that releases an air stream into the human activity environment to achieve 100% bacteria removal in the air stream exiting the filtering device. To provide two or more features individually or in combination.

  Another object of the present invention is to solve or reduce one or more problems in the prior art, or to provide an improved alternative over the prior art.

  The prior art description herein should not be taken as an acknowledgment or commentary on the state of common general knowledge of those skilled in the art.

  This specification includes several aspects of the present invention.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sterilization type hand drying apparatus adapted to generate a flow of heated air in a substantially sterilized state for drying a hand,
A housing;
Heating means provided in the housing for heating air that can be used to dry the hands;
Inlet means for introducing air into the housing and moving it to reach the heating means in use;
Outlet means for releasing air as heated air that can be used to dry hands after being heated by the heating means in use;
Air flow generating means adapted to quickly move air from the inlet means to the outlet means through the heating means as an air flow;
The apparatus comprises bacteria trapping filter means that allows airflow to pass during use, and the bacteria trapping filter means captures and retains most of the bacteria in the airflow during use. The air flow coming out of the bacteria trapping filter means is more sterilized than when entering the bacteria trapping filter means,
The bacteria trapping filter means is in the form of a fibrous matrix, the fibrous matrix having a toxic bactericidal substance applied to the fiber, and the bactericidal substance applied to the fiber. An apparatus is provided that is capable of killing bacteria that hit the bactericidal substance.

  Preferably, the bactericidal substance is a liquid coating substance, and when the liquid coating substance is applied to the fiber, it has an adhesive coating that traps bacteria that hit the bactericidal substance found on the fiber. Provide on the fiber.

  In an exemplary embodiment, the air stream exiting the bacteria capture filter means has fewer bacteria than the air stream entering the bacteria capture filter means.

  Preferably, there is no or at least substantially no bacteria in the air stream exiting the bacteria capture filter means.

  Preferably, 100% of particulate bacteria are not present in the air stream exiting the bacteria capture filter means.

  Preferably, the bacteria trapping filter means blocks the air flow before the air flow reaches the heating means.

  Preferably, the inlet means has at least one main inlet, so that all air flow discharged from the hand dryer must first pass through the main inlet.

  Preferably, the at least one main inlet is entirely provided in the housing.

  Preferably, the at least one main inlet is provided in the inlet to the air flow generating means so that all the air that has entered the air flow generating means passes through the at least one main inlet.

  Preferably, the air flow generating means is housed in a casing, and the at least one main inlet is provided in the casing.

  As a variant, the at least one main inlet is provided in the housing of the device, and apart from the at least one main inlet, all other inlets to the housing are in operation and air is in the at least one It is sealed so that it can only enter the housing through one main inlet.

  Preferably, the inlet means comprises one or more auxiliary inlets arranged in series with the main inlet and through which the air flow passes one after the other.

  The main inlet is located next to the next in the series arrangement by a substantial space containing enough air to satisfy the air intake requirements of the air flow generating means with respect to the amount of air per unit time It should be separated from the entrance.

  At least one of the auxiliary inlets may be provided on an outer surface of the housing and accessible by a user from the outside of the housing.

  Preferably, each said auxiliary inlet comprises said bacteria capture filter means.

  Preferably, the main inlet comprises the bacteria capture filter means.

  Preferably, the bacteria capture filter means comprises a fibrous high density filter material having a sufficiently high density to block and capture most of the bacterial particles in the air stream.

  Preferably, the filter material is a non-woven fiber.

  Preferably, the filter material has an average gap or pore selected to be about 150 microns between the fibers.

Preferably, the air permeability of the filter material is about 234.7 cm ³ / cm ² / sec.

  The bacteria trapping filter means may include a filter replacement mechanism that can automatically replace the filter material with a replacement filter material during use.

  Preferably, the filter replacement mechanism periodically replaces the filter material with a replacement filter material after a period of time during use. Preferably, the filter replacement mechanism gradually replaces the filter material with a replacement filter material continuously or intermittently during use. Preferably, the filter material is in the form of a sheet-like strip. Preferably, the filter material is carried by an electric reel mechanism.

  Preferably, the device comprises an electrical control circuit for supplying power to the device, the electrical control circuit opening the housing to minimize the risk of user electrocution when opening the housing. A cut-off mechanism that disables the supply of power when the

  Preferably, the cut-off mechanism has a two-state switch that enables power supply only when in the first state, and maintains the switch in the first state when the housing is closed. An actuator is provided in the housing that activates the switch to a second state when the housing is opened, thereby providing power to the device when the housing is opened. Disable supply.

  Preferably, the cut-off mechanism has an elastic mounting switch that enables power supply only when pressed down, and an activator of the cut-off mechanism is provided in the housing, and the cut-off mechanism The activator depresses the switch when the housing is closed, and lifts the switch off when the housing is opened, thereby disabling power supply to the device when the housing is opened. It is configured to be

  Preferably, the elastic attachment switch is attached to a base mount to which the hood of the housing can be detachably attached, and the cut-off mechanism activator is attached to the inner surface of the hood.

  Preferably, the cut-off mechanism activator is attached to a base mount to which the hood of the housing can be detachably attached, and the elastic attachment switch is attached to the inner surface of the hood.

  The cut-off mechanism activator may be in the form of a depressor that activates the cut-off mechanism when in contact with the cut-off mechanism.

  The base mount may be fastened to an upright mounting surface, and the hand dryer may be installed on the upright mounting surface by attaching to the base mount of the housing. .

  The hand dryer includes a timer control circuit that automatically and periodically activates the air flow generating means over a predetermined period so that the hand dryer effectively sterilizes a part of the ambient atmosphere around the hand dryer. It is good to have.

  The timer control circuit may automatically operate the device without simultaneously operating the heating means.

  As a modification, the timer control circuit may automatically operate the device while simultaneously operating the heating elements.

  The timer control circuit may comprise light sensor means, and the timer control circuit only automatically activates the device when the light sensor indicates that ambient light is present. .

  Preferably, the apparatus comprises hand sensor means for detecting the presence of a hand in the vicinity of the outlet means, and the apparatus activates the air flow generating means and the heating means when a hand is so detected. The timer control circuit automatically activates the device only when the hand sensor means detects that no hand is present near the outlet means.

  Preferably, the bacteria trapping filter means includes an airborne bacteria filter device described below.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for producing a substantially sterilized flow of heated air from a sterilizing hand dryer for drying hands,
Using air flow generating means to quickly move air as an air flow;
Heating the air by a heating means so that the air stream can be used to dry hands;
Providing the hand dryer with a bacteria capture filter means that allows the air flow to pass in use;
The bacteria trapping filter means captures and retains most of the bacteria in the air stream during use, and the air stream exiting the bacteria trapping filter means enters the bacteria trapping filter means. It is designed to have a higher degree of sterilization than
The bacteria trapping filter means is in the form of a fibrous matrix, the fibrous matrix having a toxic bactericidal substance applied to the fiber, and the bactericidal substance applied to the fiber. Provided is a method characterized in that it can kill bacteria that hit the bactericidal substance.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sterilizing hand drying device adapted to generate a flow of heated air in a substantially sterilized state for drying the hand,
A housing;
Heating means provided in the housing for heating air that can be used to dry the hands;
Inlet means for introducing air into the housing and moving it to reach the heating means in use;
Outlet means for releasing air as heated air that can be used to dry hands after being heated by the heating means in use;
Air flow generating means adapted to quickly move air from the inlet means to the outlet means through the heating means as an air flow;
The device comprises an electrical control circuit that supplies power to the device;
The electrical control circuit includes a cut-off mechanism that disables power supply when the housing is opened in order to minimize the risk of a user being electrocuted when the housing is opened. An apparatus is provided.

  Preferably, the cut-off mechanism has a two-state switch that enables power supply only when in the first state, and maintains the switch in the first state when the housing is closed. An actuator is provided in the housing that activates the switch to a second state when the housing is opened, thereby providing power to the device when the housing is opened. Disable supply.

  Preferably, the cut-off mechanism has an elastic mounting switch that enables power supply only when pressed down, and an activator of the cut-off mechanism is provided in the housing, and the cut-off mechanism The activator depresses the switch when the housing is closed, and lifts the switch off when the housing is opened, thereby disabling power supply to the device when the housing is opened. It is configured to be

  The elastic attachment switch may be attached to a base mount to which the hood of the housing can be detachably attached, and the cut-off mechanism activator is attached to the inner surface of the hood.

  The cut-off mechanism activator may be attached to a base mount to which the hood of the housing can be detachably attached, and the elastic attachment switch is attached to the inner surface of the hood.

  The cut-off mechanism activator may be in the form of a depressor that activates the cut-off mechanism when in contact with the cut-off mechanism.

  The base mount may be fastened to an upright mounting surface, and the hand dryer can be installed on the upright mounting surface by attaching to the base mount of the housing. .

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a base plate to which a hood of a housing of a sterilization type hand dryer is detachably attached,
The hand dryer includes an electrical control circuit that supplies power to the device;
When the base plate is used, when the housing is opened with the hood attached to the base plate, electric power is not supplied to the electric control circuit and the user is exposed to electric shock when the housing is opened. A base plate is provided that includes a cut-off mechanism for minimizing the risk of death.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sterilizing hand drying device adapted to generate a flow of heated air in a substantially sterilized state for drying the hand,
A housing;
Heating means provided in the housing for heating air that can be used to dry the hands;
Inlet means for introducing air into the housing and moving it to reach the heating means in use;
Outlet means for releasing air as heated air that can be used to dry hands after being heated by the heating means in use;
Air flow generating means adapted to quickly move air from the inlet means to the outlet means through the heating means as an air flow;
The hand dryer is provided with a timer control circuit that automatically and periodically activates the airflow generating means over a predetermined period.

  The timer control circuit may automatically operate the device without simultaneously operating the heating means.

  As a modification, the timer control circuit may automatically operate the device while simultaneously operating the heating elements.

  The timer control circuit may comprise light sensor means, and the timer control circuit only automatically activates the device when the light sensor indicates that ambient light is present. .

  The apparatus may comprise hand sensor means for detecting the presence of a hand in the vicinity of the outlet means, and the apparatus activates the air flow generating means and the heating means when a hand is so detected. The timer control circuit automatically activates the device only when the hand sensor means detects that no hand is present near the outlet means.

  The device may comprise a fragrance material that is a source of fragrance, such that the fragrance penetrates into the air stream.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a timing circuit component adapted to automatically automatically operate the air flow generating means of the sterilized hand dryer over a predetermined period,
The sterilization type hand drying device is adapted to generate a flow of heated air in a substantially sterilized state for drying hands,
A housing;
Heating means provided in the housing for heating air that can be used to dry the hands;
Inlet means for introducing air into the housing and moving it to reach the heating means in use;
Outlet means for releasing air as heated air that can be used to dry hands after being heated by the heating means in use;
The air flow generating means is adapted to quickly move the air from the inlet means to the outlet means through the heating means as the air flow, and the timer control circuit generates the air flow over a predetermined period. A timing circuit component is provided, characterized in that the means are adapted to automatically activate periodically.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for sterilizing the ambient atmosphere around a sterilizing hand dryer that is adapted to produce a flow of substantially sterilized heated air for drying hands. There,
Providing a hand dryer with a timer control circuit adapted to automatically automatically actuate the airflow generation means over a predetermined period;
Automatically operating the sterilization type hand drying device periodically over a predetermined period using the timer control circuit, the hand drying device,
A housing;
Heating means provided in the housing for heating air that can be used to dry the hands;
Inlet means for introducing air into the housing and moving it to reach the heating means in use;
Outlet means for releasing air as heated air that can be used to dry hands after being heated by the heating means in use;
And an air flow generating means adapted to rapidly move air as an air flow from the inlet means to the outlet means via the heating means.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for scenting the ambient atmosphere around a hand-drying device adapted to generate an air flow of heated air for drying air,
Providing the hand dryer with a timer control circuit adapted to automatically automatically actuate the air flow generating means over a predetermined period;
Allowing the hand dryer to comprise a fragrance material that is a source of fragrance, allowing the fragrance to enter the air stream;
Using the timer control circuit to automatically activate the hand dryer periodically for a predetermined period of time so that the fragrance in the air stream effectively scents the ambient atmosphere around the hand dryer And a step of
The hand dryer is
A housing;
Heating means provided in the housing for heating air that can be used to dry the hands;
Inlet means for introducing air into the housing and moving it to reach the heating means in use;
Outlet means for releasing air as heated air that can be used to dry hands after being heated by the heating means in use;
There is provided an air atmosphere scenting method comprising air flow generating means adapted to rapidly move air as an air flow from the inlet means to the outlet means via the heating means.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sterile hand-drying device adapted to generate a flow of substantially sterilized heated air for drying hands,
A housing;
Heating means provided in the housing for heating air that can be used to dry the hands;
Inlet means for introducing air into the housing and moving it to reach the heating means in use;
Outlet means for releasing air as heated air that can be used to dry hands after being heated by the heating means in use;
An air flow generating means adapted to quickly move air as an air flow from the inlet means to the outlet means through the heating means;
A filter material adapted to filter the air stream,
The apparatus is provided with a filter exchange mechanism that can automatically exchange the filter material with a replacement filter material during use.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sterilization type hand drying device adapted to generate a flow of substantially sterilized heated air for drying a hand,
A housing;
Heating means provided in the housing for heating air that can be used to dry the hands;
Inlet means for introducing air into the housing and moving it to reach the heating means in use;
Outlet means for releasing air as heated air that can be used to dry hands after being heated by the heating means in use;
Air flow generating means adapted to quickly move air from the inlet means to the outlet means through the heating means as an air flow;
The inlet means includes at least one main inlet, and all air flow in the device must pass through the at least one main inlet;
The at least one main inlet is provided in the inlet to the air flow generating means so that all air entering the air flow generating means is filtered through the at least one main inlet. There is provided an apparatus characterized in that.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an airborne bacterial filter device adapted for use in a device that draws an air flow and releases the air flow into a human activity environment, the filter device comprising: Is the following in order:
i) having capture filter means in the form of a fibrous matrix, the fibrous matrix having a toxic bactericidal substance applied to the fiber, the bactericidal substance being applied to the fiber; A filter device is provided that is capable of killing bacteria that hit a bactericidal substance.

Preferably, after passing through the capture filter means, the air flow is
ii) passes through the carbon filter means, the carbon filter means blocks the air flow and removes some of the toxic bactericidal substances originating from the capture filter means from the air flow, and the filter device The air flow leaving the human activity area should be substantially free of both bacteria and traces of bactericidal substances.

  Preferably, the airborne bacterial filter device is entirely disposed inside the device.

  Preferably, said filter device comprises filter barrier means, said filter barrier means containing said capture filter means and said charcoal filter means so that in use they become a bacteria-impermeable barrier for said filter device. is doing.

  Preferably, the bacteria impervious barrier of the filter barrier means separates the capture filter means and the charcoal filter means from the interior of the apparatus and when used in the air flow, Other contaminants can enter the filter device only through the trapping filter means and cannot enter the filter device through other parts of the filter device.

  Preferably, the bacteria-impermeable barrier has components adapted to fit together, and when fitted together, bacteria cannot enter the filter device through the contact points of the components. It is like that.

  Preferably, the bacteria impervious barrier of the filter barrier means also prevents live bacteria inside the filter device from escaping from the filter device and back into the device.

  Preferably, the capture filter means and the charcoal filter means are separated by a volume sealed within the bacteria-impermeable barrier, the volume being after the air flow exits the capture filter means Work as a temporary destination to enter.

  Preferably, the capture filter means and the charcoal filter means are generally parallel to each other so that the volume between them is flat and planar.

  Preferably, in use, the air flow exits the capture filter means in a manner such that the air flow is substantially perpendicular to the surface of each of the capture filter means and the charcoal filter means. to go into.

  Preferably, a release filter means containing a beneficial releasable substance is provided in succession next to the capture filter means and the charcoal filter means, the beneficial releasable substance being released from the filter device during use. Into the air stream.

  Two or more release filter means, each containing a beneficial releasable substance, may be provided next to the capture filter means and the charcoal filter means, the beneficial releasable substance being In use, the air is discharged from the filter device.

  The beneficial releasable material may include a medicinal product that can be administered to the user in a manner that is carried by air.

  The beneficial releasable material may include a fragrance.

  The beneficial releasable material may include an antimicrobial material.

  Preferably, the beneficial releasable material is combined with an air flow activated formulation as described below, and the beneficial releasable material is an active material.

  At least the discharge filter means may be in the form of a flat filter material piece, the flat filter material piece being such that the flat filter material piece can flutter in the air stream. Supported in the device.

  Preferably, the bactericidal substance is a liquid coating substance, and when the liquid coating substance is applied to the fiber, it has an adhesive coating that traps bacteria that hit the bactericidal substance found on the fiber. Provide on the fiber.

  Preferably, the adhesive coating can physically hold the struck bacterial particles to the fibers so that the bacteria are held in place and killed.

  Preferably, the charcoal filter means is a fibrous matrix infused with charcoal particles.

  Preferably, the charcoal filter means reoxygenates and airless the air stream.

  Preferably, each of the filters is housed in a filter holder, and each of the filter holders is provided with an ordering means for allowing the filters to be attached to each other only in the order.

  Preferably, when the filter holders are each attached to each other in the order described above, the filter holders are combined with each other to form the bacteria-impermeable barrier.

  Preferably, the attachment sequence means provided on each filter housing is in the form of a variant profile, which profile profile is accurate only with the corresponding profile provided on the filter housing which is the next in the sequence. Can be met.

  Preferably, the filter holders fit together in the order described above to form a stack.

Preferably, the fibrous matrix is adapted to physically trap bacterial particles while at the same time providing a minimum resistance to air flow, and the fibrous matrix thus provides a minimum resistance to the air flow. Mean gaps or pores between fibers that are much larger than the size of the bacteria to bring about, and
And a tortuous path for the air flow created by the fibrous matrix, so that the probability that the bacterial particles hit at least some of the fibers of the matrix is very high.

  Preferably, the average gap or pore between the fibers is selected to be about 150 microns.

According to a twelfth aspect of the invention, a formulation activated by an air stream comprising:
An active substance that will be able to be carried by air for at least an effective period of time;
A release agent that inhibits the active substance from being carried by air at normal room temperature and pressure,
A formulation is provided wherein upon release of the formulation to flowing air, the release agent releases the active ingredient into the air stream.

  Preferably, the active substance is a biocide and / or a fragrance.

  Preferably, the release agent is a microporous polymer.

  The release agent may be a microcapsule polymer shell.

  The release agent may be a melamine-formaldehyde microencapsulated shell.

  The size of the shell is preferably 5 to 100 μm.

  Preferably, the formulation is sprayed onto the substrate in the form of a liquid emulsion.

  A filter is provided in the blower and allows air to pass over or through the filter to release the active substance.

  Other preferred or optional features of this twelfth aspect of the invention are summarized and described at the end of the specification, rather than this part of the specification, for the sake of clarity only, In the present specification, the chemical aspects of the present invention can be separated from the mechanical viewpoint as much as possible.

  In order to better understand aspects of the present invention, embodiments of each aspect of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, which are merely examples.

  It is noted that FIGS. 6A and 6B are made with minimal details and show only the details of an embodiment of the filter exchange mechanism. For clarity, other internal details of the dryer have been omitted in FIGS. 6A and 6B and the same for FIGS. 13 and 14.

  In the drawings of the different embodiments, the same elements are designated with the same reference numerals only to facilitate understanding of the various embodiments.

  Embodiments are adapted to kill a full range of bacteria, pathogens, etc., and the term “bacteria” or “pathogen” is used in a general sense, and the present invention is not limited to certain types of harmful It should not be narrowly construed from a biological definition that is limited to the sterilization of various microorganisms.

  Referring to the accompanying drawings, FIG. 1A shows a sterile hand dryer in the form of a hand dryer 1.

  The dryer 1 draws an air flow and releases it into a human activity environment where people frequently come and go, for example, in a toilet or washroom in a hospital, to name a few.

  The hand dryer 1 discharges or blows out a substantially sterile heated air stream or air stream 200C for drying the hands. In the illustrated embodiment, the range of use of heated air is about 55 ° C to 65 ° C.

  The hand dryer 1 has a housing that includes a base mount in the form of a main hood 10 and a base plate 11. The base plate 11 is best shown in FIGS. 1B and 1C and is also shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B.

  In FIG. 1B, the hood 10 is attached to the base plate 11 by a hinge 12.

  The hinge 12 is designed so that the hood 10 can be detached from the base plate 11 or removed. This allows the hand dryer 1 to be installed in a simple two-step manner: first, the base plate 11 is first attached to an upright surface, for example a wall, and then the hood 10 is attached to the hinge of the base plate 11.

  Base plate 11 is secured to the wall by screws 13, bolts, or other suitable fastening mechanisms.

  FIG. 1A shows a hood 10 arranged in a closed position, which is an arrangement when the dryer 1 is installed in a fixed position.

  FIG. 1B shows the hood 10 placed in the open position.

  In both FIGS. 1A and 1B, the orientation of the dryer 1 is described with it attached to the wall.

  In a commercial embodiment, the hood 10 is locked to the base plate 11 and a dedicated key 16A is required to unlock the lock 16B, as understood in FIGS. 1A and 1B.

As a summary of the overall air flow, when operating the dryer 1 in use to dry the user's hand, the air from the ambient environment is drawn or sucked into the housing and then heated in the following order: , And then released. This air flow path is conceptually indicated by arrow 200A in FIG. 1A, then by arrow 200B in FIG. 1B, and finally by arrow 200C in FIG. 1A. Of course, the actual flow of air in the dryer 1 is very complex and turbulent, so the arrows 200A, 200B, 200C are simplified for convenience of explanation.

Air Heater In FIG. 4, the dryer 1 is provided with heating means in the form of a heating element 300. The heating element 300 is disposed at the opening of the fan casing 400, and is clearly shown in FIG.

  The heating element 300 includes a grid-like wire or plate that is electrically heated when the dryer 1 emits warm air.

  1B and 4, the heating element 300 is positioned within the housing 10, 11 to raise the air flow 200B so that the air is warm enough to dry the user's hand. Used.

The inlet means dryer 1 has inlet means for allowing air to flow into the housings 10 and 11 during use and to move to reach the heating element 300.

  In this embodiment, the inlet means is considered to be a region or passage that moves air to reach the heating element 300.

  In FIG. 1B, the inlet means includes a substantial range of components and features in the embodiment of FIG. 1B. Initially, the inlet means includes auxiliary filter assemblies 520A, 520B, 520C that allow air to flow into the housing.

  The inlet means further includes a cave-like interior of the housing 10,11. Air passes through the auxiliary filter assemblies 520A, 520B, 520C and then flows into the sinusoidal interior of the housing 10,11.

  The inlet means further includes a main inlet 405 provided on the side of the fan casing 400. Inserted into the main inlet 405 is a main airborne bacterial filter device in the form of main filter assemblies 410A, 410B, 410C (and other embodiments described below).

  An exploded view of the first embodiment of the main filter assembly 410A, 410B, 410C is shown in FIG.

  FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of the main filter assembly in relation to where the main filter assembly fits into the main inlet 405 of the fan casing 400.

  In FIG. 4, the main filter assembly preferably has a base element 410A that fits directly into the main inlet or main hole 405. In FIG. 7B, the base element 410A includes a number of elastic claws 408 that allow the base element to fit into the main hole 405 and be locked therewith.

  FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a part of the main filter assemblies 410A, 410B, and 410C.

  3 and 4, a bacteria capture filter means in the form of filter material 410B is attached to the filter holder 410C. The filter holder 410C can engage the base element 410.

  The filter material 410B includes slits that are used to attach the filter to the filter holder 410C. In use, a protruding pin 411 provided on the filter holder 410C passes through the slit of the filter as shown in FIG. 4 and best shown in FIG. 7B.

  Filter holders 410A and 410C each have a coarse mesh 414, which also limits the movement of filter material 410B in place.

  Base element 410A and filter holder 410C are provided with corresponding insert mounting parts that allow these parts to fit together in a plug-in engagement manner. In other embodiments, other types or other types of engagement mechanisms, such as interdigitated pins or press fit attachments, or press-and-lock attachments can be used.

The outlet means dryer 1 has outlet means for releasing air as a heated air stream 200C used for drying hands after heating by the heating element 300.

  In this embodiment, the outlet means is considered to be a region or passage that moves air away from the heating element 300 until it is released from the dryer 1.

  In FIG. 1A, the heating element 300 is disposed inside the protruding beak-shaped opening 14 provided at the front portion of the hood 10. Thus, in the illustrated embodiment, the outlet means is generally much shorter in distance compared to the distance that air must travel through the inlet means.

  The heated air that has flowed past the heating element 300 exits the housing almost immediately after passing through the opening 14.

  The opening 14 has a grill 15 that prevents the user's finger from touching the heated portion of the heating element 300.

The airflows 200A, 200B, 200C through the fan dryer 1 are created by airflow generation means in the form of a rotating fan 401 shown in FIG. The fan 401 is in the form of a rotor that rotates within the fan casing 400. The inner part of the circular fan 401 can be seen in FIG. A fan casing 400 having a generally circular shape receives a circular fan 401. The rotation of the fan 401 is obtained by the motor 430 shown in FIG. 1B. In one example, the motor is a 120 watt, 7500 rpm AC / DC motor. The casing of the motor 430 is sealed to prevent bacteria from entering the airflow in the fan casing 400 through the gap in the casing of the motor 430.

  The rotary fan 401 provided in the fan casing 400 is moved so that air flows as an air flow. The air flow flows into the housing through the first auxiliary hole 520D and its auxiliary filter assemblies 520A, 520B, 520C, then through the sinusoidal interior of the housing 10, 11, and then through the main hole 405. And through the main filter assemblies 410A, 410B, 410C, and finally the air flow reaches the heating element 300. Next, the air flow or air flow generated by the fan 401 is discharged from the housing as a heated air flow 200C, which can be used to dry the user's hand.

Location of the main filter device The inlet means of the dryer 1 includes at least one “main inlet” in the form of a main hole 405. This main hole is intended to be the only inlet for air and bacteria into the fan casing 400.

  The concept of “main inlet” is that all the air flow emitted from the dryer must eventually pass through this main inlet first. In this embodiment, an opening is defined as a “main hole” or “main inlet” if all of the air in the air stream exiting the dryer must literally pass through that hole or inlet at some point. Is done.

  By placing an effective bacteria capture filter at one or more of the main inlets, all airflow exiting the dryer is blocked by the bacteria capture filter.

  In this embodiment, the main hole 405 is provided in the fan casing 400. The main hole 405 is located in an opening provided in the fan casing 400, and therefore, all air flowing into the fan casing 400 must pass through the final filter 410B. After the air flow enters the fan casing, the device 1 has only one outlet 14. Therefore, this hole 405 is regarded as a “main inlet”. This is because there is no other path to the fan casing. In other words, there is no other path leading to the final exit 14.

  Alternatively, for easier understanding of the definition of “main inlet”, for example, auxiliary inlet 520D of FIG. 1A cannot be considered a “main inlet”. This is because there are many other ways in which air can flow into the device. For example, bacteria may bypass the auxiliary filter 520D when the hood 10 is opened, or may enter a gap between the hood 10 and the base plate 11 when the hood 10 is closed. For example, when the hood 10 is opened, bacteria-containing ambient air in the toilet flows into the apparatus 1. In addition, there are many inner surfaces inside the apparatus 1 between the inlet 520D and the final outlet 14, and these inner surfaces may become infectious and use as a bacterial source after months or years of use. is there. The auxiliary filter 520B does not block this external bacteria entering the air flow in other ways, for example through an open hood or from the inside, and the final main filter 410B stops such external bacteria. This is because the auxiliary inlet 520D is not considered a “main inlet” and the auxiliary filter 520B is not considered a “main filter”.

  A main inlet in the form of a main hole 405 can be seen in FIG. In the description of FIG. 1B, the main hole 405 is not visible because the main filter assemblies 410A, 410B, 410C are shown inserted into the main hole 405 of the fan casing.

  The main filter assemblies 410A, 410B, 410C block the air flow before it reaches the heating element 300. The main hole 405 is a point in the air flow through which all of the air flow must pass if all of the air flow in the dryer must be discharged from the dryer. In this case, the bacterial particles are eventually captured and thus prevented from entering the fan casing 400. Preferably, the remainder of the casings 400, 430 are sealed so that air cannot enter the motor casing 430.

  By placing the main filter device 410A, 410B, 410C at the final entrance to the fan casing, this main filter device serves as the last possible defense line. Any bacteria that may remain in the airflow become blocked by the main filter 410B. Even if bacteria enter the machine through gaps in the wall of the device as unexpectedly or from prolonged accumulation of bacteria inside the device, such bacteria will be released from the grill 15 by the exiting air flow 200C. I can't. This is because the air flow leaving the device must eventually pass through the main filter devices 410A, 410B, 410C.

  Thus, the identification of the main inlet and the location of the main filter device at its final inlet point 405 in the housing is that of the device 1 that achieves 100% removal and destruction of bacteria in the air stream 200C exiting the drying device 1. It is a feature that contributes to ability.

  In the prior art, achieving 100% bacteria removal would be difficult unless consideration is given to the approach that the inner surface of the device is also a potential source of bacteria. All internal surfaces and parts within the device are potential sources of contaminants. For example, internal painted surfaces may cause toxins, and airflow may also cause debris to peel from internal components after years of use. In the prior art, a filter positioned very early in the air flow path does not attempt to prevent bacteria from flaking off from the inner surface located downstream of the filter.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, the final main filter 410B is provided directly on the fan housing so that all these external contaminants and bacteria located upstream in the air flow are all removed before they enter the fan housing. It can be captured and blocked by the devices 410A, 410B, 410C. The main filter device is arranged at the last possible place before the air flow reaches the heating element 300 and the outlet point 15. (It is inconvenient to place the filter inside the fan housing because it cannot be easily replaced, and a filter that is not easy to replace itself over time. Because it can be a source of contamination).

  In this embodiment, the main bore 405 and associated main filter assemblies 410A, 410B, 410C are generally disposed within the device housings 10,11. In this way, the user cannot access the main filter assembly and only authorized personnel can access and replace it.

  In other variations, two or more main holes 405 may be provided in the fan casing 400, but in such an alternative embodiment, all of the air that flows into the fan casing 400 is all of these ones of the fan casing. Alternatively, it is still necessary that two or more main holes 405 must be passed.

  In this embodiment, even when bacteria enter the gap between the housings 10 and 11, the main filter 410B is disposed only in the fan casing because the main filter 410B is provided in the fan casing. All the bacteria entering the fan casing 400 can be blocked.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 1A and 1B, the main inlet 405 is provided at the inlet leading to the air flow generating means, or in other variations its actual location can be changed. However, it is a condition that all the air flowing into the air flow generating means passes through this final inlet.
In these embodiments, one main hole (or a plurality of main holes) is provided in or coupled to the fan casing 400 such that all airflow entering the fan casing must pass through the main hole. There are only. This is the preferred and best location, as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 1A.

  Another factor in designing the embodiment is that the main hole, which is the main and only opening to the fan casing 400, should preferably not be accessible from the outside of the dryer 1. For example, the main hole 405 to the fan casing 400 should not be accessible from the outer surface of the hood 10, and if so, an unauthorized user may use the movable parts and electrical components of the hand dryer device 1. This is because the wiring parts can be approached. This may also give the working person a chance to insert harmful substances into the motorized parts of the device and, rather, bathe the water in the fan and motor. All these possibilities can cause harm to the user of the dryer 1.

Bacteria capture bacteria are actually composed of very small microscopic particles. The dryer 1 of this embodiment includes a bacteria capturing filter means. In other words, means are provided for trapping the bacterial particles so that the air released from the dryer 1 does not actually contain or contain bacterial particles. The focus is not on sterilization of bacteria, but on the capture of bacterial particles.

In this embodiment, in FIG. 3, the bacteria capture filter means of the main filter assemblies 410A, 410B, 410C are made of filter material of sufficient density to block and capture a substantial portion of the bacteria particles in the air stream. It includes a filter material 410B, which is a fibrous, dense, generally non-uniform matrix. The fiber acts as a physical obstacle to the passage of bacterial particles.
In this embodiment, it has been found that, ideally, the filter material 410B requires approximately one replacement per month, for example if used regularly in a typical public toilet facility. This is because bacterial particles accumulate in the filter material.

Filter Material In an exemplary preferred embodiment, the filter material is a melt eroded fiber material. Corrosive fibers are preferred. This is because densely woven or woven fabrics have proved less suitable because they tend to restrict the air flow more than corroded fiber materials.

  The filter material of the embodiment of FIG. 1A is a corroded needle felt polyester fibrous pad of material with the following properties:

[Table 1]
Weight (gsm) 150 ISO 9073-1: 1989
Thickness (mm) 1.4mm to 1.8mm ISO 9073-2: 1995
Tensile strength (N / 50mm): ISO 9073-3: 1989
-Vertical direction 165
-Lateral direction 165
Breathability 2500 ISO 9230 @ 20cm ² 200Pa
(L / sec / m ² )

In another preferred sample of filter material, the breathability determination was made in accordance with Australian Standard AS 2001.1.2.34-90. The results showed that the air permeability of a preferred sample of filter material was 234.7 cm ³ / cm ² / sec and the coefficient of variation was 5.9.

  The filter material is a molten polyester fibrous matrix having an entirely random woven matrix or random lay. Thus, the bacterial particles in the air stream that have passed through this fibrous matrix must pass through a tortuous flow path to navigate through the random fibrous matrix, thus each of the bacterial particles is out of the fiber. This increases the likelihood of hitting or sticking to one of these.

  Compromises are often found in the selection of the conflicting requirements of high density filters that help trap bacteria and low density filters that ensure rapid airflow.

  The problem is as follows. That is, increasing the density or thickness of the filter, on the one hand, traps bacterial particles more effectively, but at the same time slows the air flow through the filter, which can overheat the fan motor. is there. Thus, if it is desirable to achieve the desirable goal of 100% bacterial blockade, it is necessary to do some experimentation to find the appropriate density of filter material used for a particular power motor and fan for a given embodiment. There is a case. For example, a powerful fan that produces a strong air flow may use a filter material that is denser and / or thicker.

  The filter mesh weight expressed in gsm (grams per square meter) gives a perspective on the average size properties of the gaps in the filter mesh.

For example, a fibrous matrix of 50 gsm material has been found to moderately trap bacterial particles, but 50 gsm fibrous material has not been found to provide sufficient airflow to the fan 401.
In the prior art, there is a tendency to achieve bacterial filtration by selecting a very fine filter mesh. The idea of the prior art is very similar to the idea of a net catching fish, where the size must be small enough to match the size of the bacteria. This creates a problem. This is because, as the mesh size decreases, the performance of airflow passing at high speed decreases. This problem is not readily recognized in the known prior art for very fine sterilization filters without considering the problems that may be associated with very fine filter mesh sizes.

  Embodiments of the present invention recognize problems with conflicting needs. On the one hand, it is desirable that the filter mesh be sufficient to catch bacterial particles, but on the other hand, such a filter mesh should not be so small that it prevents optimal air flow.

  In an embodiment of the invention, the mesh size is selected to be about 150 micron weave in the sense that the nonwoven has an average gap or pore between fibers of about 150 microns. This has been selected from a wide range of filter materials as being in a size range that retains the ability to capture 100% of the bacteria while a very rapid air flow can be achieved. A 150 micron weave with a relatively large pore size can be used. This is because the filter is used in conjunction with an adhesive liquid coating applied to the filter described below.

  Without being limited by theory, it is believed that 150 micron weave was not recognized in the prior art as a suitable mesh size for capturing bacteria. This is because the 150 micron weave pores are much larger than the typical size of bacterial particles. However, in this embodiment, it is recognized that the mesh size selected to be about 150 microns would be appropriate when the fiber is coated with an adhesive antimicrobial liquid. This is because the large pore size allows a rapid air flow while allowing a sufficiently tortuous and random flow flow that allows bacteria to hit one of the 100% fibers and stick to it with an adhesive coating. Because it provides the road.

  Thus, the selected approximately 150 micron weave captures bacteria using a different mechanism. Bacteria are not necessarily caught between two adjacent fiber gaps (by analogy that fish are caught on the net). In contrast, the weave of a fibrous matrix with a 150 micron weave has been found to provide a sufficiently tortuous path with a very high probability of bacteria hitting or colliding with the fiber. Also, as described below, the filter strands are coated with a sticky substance so that the bacterial particles impinging on the filter fibers are not likely to be entrained in the air stream but stick to the fibers. Is done. In other words, at a filter mesh or about 150 microns, large air gaps in the fibers allow the air flow to pass through the filter material very quickly. At the same time, the 150 micron fiber density allows airborne bacteria to be trapped by the filter threads as the air moves through the filter.

  In other words, it is the nature of the fibrous material and the nature of the adhesive coating applied to the fibers that is combined to address both conflicting requirements i) pathogen capture and ii) airflow velocity.

  Filters of about 150 microns are, of course, widely used in the general-purpose market, but unexpectedly allowing both i) 100% pathogen capture and ii) very high airflow rates What gave the result was an unexpected selection of a filter mesh of about 150 microns. The choice of about 150 micron mesh is unexpected as the large pore size is many times the typical bacterial size. The selection used in this embodiment recognizes that this apparently large filter pore size, in combination with an adhesive coating, is actually and unexpectedly an ideal choice.

  i) 100% pathogen capture and ii) double or unexpected tolerance upper and lower limits from 150 micron mark that can still achieve double and unexpected benefits that allow very high airflow rates It is better to conduct some experimentation that is determined from the viewpoint.

  The main filter material 410B captures and retains a substantial portion of the bacterial particles in the air stream in the filter. Thus, the airflow exiting the main filter 410B is more sterilized than when the airflow enters the filter 410B.

  In the above paragraph, the term “hold” indicates that a significant portion of the bacteria enter the filter but cannot leave it. In other words, the air flow exiting the main filter 410B has fewer bacterial particles than the air flow entering the same main filter 410B.

  As a feature of this embodiment, as demonstrated by independent microbiological testing, the air flow exiting filter 410B is 100% completely free of bacteria or at least substantially free of bacteria and marked 100%. Very close to. In other words, the bacterial particles are physically removed from the air stream very much, not simply deactivated or sterilized.

  The initial experimental model of this embodiment was tested in a factory men's toilet that was confirmed to be air contaminated with various microorganisms. The air stream exiting dryer 1 through 1 was found to be 100% free of bacterial particles or pathogens. Thus, the bacteria capture filter means of this embodiment can capture 100% of the bacteria in the air stream and the air flow exiting the bacteria capture filter means is 100% free of bacteria or substantially close to it. It comes to be a thing.

  Thus, embodiments of the present invention that can achieve the goal of hand drying without 100% bacteria can be said to be more hygienic to dry hands than disposable paper towels. For example, a model that achieves this at a level close to 100% bacteria removal is suitable for use by surgeons prior to surgery.

  Thus, in this aspect of the invention, the dryer 1 embodiment comprises means for capturing and holding the actual bacterial particles, thereby preventing the bacteria from leaving the dryer and entering the warm air stream 200C. This is conceptually different from the air filters used in prior art dryers, which only filter out large particles, such as dust and debris, and 100% of the bacterial particles. It is not intended or intended to capture bacteria at the scale of removal. Thus, even prior art that simply described an “air filter” should not necessarily be treated as prior art disclosure of bacterial capture filter means at first glance, unless this teaches the actual capture of bacterial particles. .

  The broad premise of this embodiment is that bacterial particles must be captured in order to effectively sterilize the bacteria. This is a different approach than prior art sterilization dryers that try to sterilize bacteria while entraining them in a moving air stream, rather than capturing and holding them first. is there. In an experiment, such prior art systems first captured bacteria and then compared to experimental embodiments of the present invention that killed captured bacteria held stationary in the filter. Was found to be much less efficient in removing air from the air stream.

  In summary, a fibrous matrix can physically trap bacterial particles while at the same time providing minimal resistance to air flow. Therefore, the average gap or pore between the fibers is much larger than the size of the bacteria so that the resistance to airflow is minimal. Also, the tortuous path or flow path of the air flow is created by the fibrous matrix, and the probability that the bacterial particles hit at least some percent of the matrix fibers is very high.

As an example of a filter material, the filter material used in this embodiment is a card polyester spunbond membrane containing a large number of random fibers of 150 grams per square meter. The caliper thickness of this filter material is 1.4 to 1.8 mm. This relatively large pore of the 150 gsm filter material allows a maximum air velocity permeability of 2500 l / sec / m ² .

  This material, when dry, provides some degree of fiber entanglement with an average gap or pore of about 30-40 microns. Thus, in the dry state, this material is unsuitable for achieving 100% bacterial capture. This is because bacterial particles are typically 0.3-30 microns and viruses are 0.01-0.05 microns. Therefore, the 150 gsm filter material is unlikely to be suitable for its purpose of achieving 100% capture rate or close to it in its dry state. However, such an apparently large mesh size selection can, unexpectedly, be used to achieve the goal of 100% capture when combined with a tacky coating applied to the fiber, yet with large pores. Allows rapid airflow velocity through.

  The additional tackiness of the coated fibers enhances the ability to capture particles many times the normally expected capture rate suggested solely from 150 micron pores alone.

Bactericidal substance: sterilization of pathogens in the fiber In a preferred embodiment, the filter material 410B is coated with a bactericidal substance capable of sterilizing bacteria trapped and retained in the filter material.

  The fibrous matrix has a toxic bactericidal substance applied to the fiber, and this toxic bactericidal substance can sterilize bacteria that hit the bactericidal substance adhering to the fiber.

  Thus, a substantial portion of the bacteria trapped and retained in the fiber is also sterilized on the fiber in the filter. (If no bactericidal agent is provided in the filter, bacterial infection may occur in the filter material when bacterial particles are trapped).

  In this embodiment, it is advantageous to capture pathogens or bacteria and then sterilize them while they are in the filter. If not, the bacteria level in the filter will gradually increase over time if the pathogen is simply captured but not sterilized. Next, if the machine is turned off or not in operation, the bacteria attached to the filter will grow, thus the filter itself becomes a source of bacteria, which will spread throughout the device and infect the inner surface. It becomes like this.

  The bactericidal substance used to sterilize the bacteria may be in the form of a liquid or gel, provided that it serves to sterilize the bacteria trapped in the filter.

  In practice, in this embodiment, the bactericidal substance is sprayed onto the fibrous filter material in a liquid spray based on alcohol. As the alcohol evaporates, the bactericidal material remains deposited on the fibrous random matrix.

  In this embodiment, the bactericidal substance is a liquid application substance. When the bactericidal substance is applied to the fiber as a liquid, the bactericidal substance forms an adhesive coating on the fiber, which helps capture bacteria that have hit the bactericidal substance found on the fiber. The adhesive coating can physically hold the impinging bacterial particles to the fiber, so that the bacteria are held in place and become sterilized.

  It should be understood that many bactericidal substances or liquids can be used to sterilize bacterial particles trapped within filters 410B, 520B. In this embodiment, the bactericidal substance is manufactured under the product code AFA-BK, 9-260 by the Healthguard Corporation of Campbellfield, Victoria, Australia.

  In this embodiment, the capture filter 410B should be replaced every month. This is because the effectiveness of the antibacterial adhesive substance adhering to the filter does not maintain its effectiveness over a long period of time.

Another Modification: Filter Device In the first embodiment of FIG. 4, the main filter assembly is provided with one main filter 410B. In this first embodiment, the antibacterial material sterilizes the bacteria that hit the filter 410B, but as a disadvantage, a trace amount of the antibacterial material may remain in the air stream, leaving the filter and the human activity environment. Enter the atmosphere. These trace amounts of antibacterials are rarely dangerous for the average person, but they can be useful for some people, especially those with respiratory or lung disease. It can be quite dangerous. For example, a person suffering from cystic fibrosis may be harmed by toxic substances in the atmosphere, even in trace amounts.

  Antibacterial liquids tend to be very toxic and harmful to humans, typically at a potency level that can kill 100% of diseased cells. For example, this is potentially an eye irritant.

  The bactericidal substance needs to be highly toxic in order to sterilize the bacteria, but preferably the toxin needs to be removed from the air stream.

  In order to remove traces of toxic substances from the air stream, FIGS. 7A and 7B show that a charcoal or carbon filter means is provided in succession following the main fibrous filter 410B with toxic bactericidal substances. In this embodiment, the charcoal filter means is in the form of a charcoal injected fibrous or porous filter material 410D into which charcoal or carbon particles have been injected.

  The charcoal or carbon particles in the charcoal injection filter material 410B obstruct the air flow and remove toxic bactericidal substances originating from the coating applied to the capture filter 410B from the air flow. This ensures that the air flow exiting the main filter assembly is substantially free of bacterial particles and is free of trace amounts of bactericidal substances.

  As described above, by removing the bactericidal substance from the air stream, it can be used in a human activity environment, such as a hospital, where there are people with very sensitive lung conditions.

  Also, since the bactericidal material is removed from the air stream, this can optionally utilize a highly effective bactericidal material adhering to the first fibrous filter 410B. This is because if the charcoal filter 410D is not provided next, the highly toxic substance may be added to the first in anxiety that high toxicity in the air flow may harm people in the surrounding environment. This is because it is necessary to refrain from using the filter 410B. On the other hand, when the charcoal filter 410D is provided next, the apparatus can achieve high efficiency in its sterilization performance by using a highly toxic substance in the first filter 410B. In this embodiment, the fact that such a highly toxic substance can be used means that the presence of a charcoal filter achieves an air flow from which 100% of the bacteria emitted from the apparatus 1 have been removed. It contributes to being able to.

  Further, without being bound by theory, it is conceivable that the charcoal reoxygenates the airflow when the airflow is flowing through the charcoal injection filter 410D.

  Thus, charcoal is thought to have a dual role of first removing toxic antimicrobial chemicals and secondly reoxygenating the air flow. Charcoal is also believed to remove malodors and off-flavors from the air stream.

  In this embodiment, the fibrous filter material 410D is injected with charcoal particles or powder, but in other variations, highly porous charcoal or charcoal-injected material pieces can also be used. Provided that the porosity is sufficient so as not to substantially impair the air flow velocity.

  In this embodiment, the charcoal filter 410D is not primarily used to capture and sterilize bacteria. Bacteria capture and sterilization steps are performed in the first capture filter 410B. Therefore, the air flow from the capture filter 410B will reach 100% bacteria removal level or at least virtually that level when it enters the charcoal filter 410D.

  In fact, charcoal or carbon is considered a lower material in capturing and sterilizing bacteria. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that charcoal is not as suitable as the substrate on which the disinfectant material is to be placed. This is probably because the bactericidal substance is absorbed inside the charcoal particles, not the bactericidal substance deposited on a surface that can be used to sterilize bacteria. Further, it is considered that the charcoal particles may contaminate a bactericidal substance that is a liquid or a liquid coating substance in this embodiment. In summary, the charcoal filter 410D of this embodiment is not designed to perform the step of sterilizing bacteria.

  Since the charcoal particle 410D does not have an adhesive antimicrobial liquid coating in this embodiment, 100% removal of bacteria from the air stream should be achieved before the air stream reaches the charcoal filter 410D. . If this is not the case, this means that some bacteria will reach the charcoal filter and this bacteria may grow when the airflow is not working. Thereby, the charcoal filter may change into a bacterial source over time. Therefore, 100% removal of bacteria must occur before the air flow reaches the charcoal filter.

Filter Housing Incapable of Entering Bacteria In the second embodiment of FIG. 7A (in a manner similar to FIG. 4), the base element 410A of the filter assembly fits directly into the main inlet or main hole 405 of the fan casing. It is like that.

  In the exploded view of FIG. 7A, the first filter holder 410C fits into the base element 410A and then fits into the second filter holder 410E, which is the first filter holder 410C. Fits in.

  FIG. 7B shows the components of FIG. 7A in an assembled state. The assembled parts are fitted together with plug-in engagement means. However, the use of other forms of attachment mechanisms is possible in other embodiments.

  In FIG. 7B, the arrow 409 indicates the direction of airflow when the device 1 is in use. In FIG. 7B, the filter device comprises filter barrier means, which in this embodiment have the walls of the filter holders, which fit together very tightly when combined. The filter device further comprises a barrier created by the lower edge of the base element 410A and the fan housing interface.

  The walls of the filter holders 410C, 410E serve to accommodate the main capture filter 410B and the charcoal filter 410D when fitted together in use. The net effect of the filter barrier means is to be a bacteria impervious barrier for the filters 410B, 410D. This effective bacteria-impermeable barrier separates the filters 410B, 410E from the interior of the device. This means that even when air flow is being blown into the device 1 or not, bacteria or other contaminants inside the device can cause the main filter 410B to face the incoming air flow directly. It can only enter the filter device via the face. Contaminants and bacteria cannot pass through other parts or fittings of the filter device.

  In the embodiment of FIGS. 1A to 4, the airborne bacterial filter devices 410 </ b> A, 410 </ b> B, 410 </ b> C, 410 </ b> D, 410 </ b> E are disposed entirely inside the device 1.

  When the base element 410A and the filter housings 410C, 410E are mated together, the bacteria are mutually attached to the components 410A, 410C, 410E by the bacteria impervious wire resulting from the tight fit of these components 410A, 410C, 410E. It cannot enter the inside of the filter device through the contact point. This is because potentially the inner surface of the device 1 is the same as in any machine, whether it is from the constituent materials of these parts, or from any bacteria that enter the machine despite the safeguards described herein. Nevertheless, it is advantageous because it is a potential source of contaminants. Therefore, the bacteria impervious barrier prevents entry of bacteria through the sides or fittings of the filter assembly (410A-410E).

  The same bacteria-impermeable wire also prevents live bacteria inside the filter device from escaping into the device when the device is turned off or when no airflow is generated. For example, bacteria may enter through the grill 15 of FIG. 1A. For example, when the device is not in use, the bacteria impervious barrier prevents bacteria from entering the interior of the device. This prevents the interior of the device itself from eventually becoming a source of bacteria (when the machine is turned off, the main filter 410B is free of bacteria that have entered through the opposite end passage 14 The bacteria in the end passage 14 tend to be sterilized by the heat from the heating element 300 when the device is turned off and used again).

  This formation of a bacteria-impermeable barrier in the surface of the filter device complements the function of other features of the device that act individually and / or in combination to prevent bacteria from entering the device as much as possible. To do. This is to avoid or minimize the situation where the interior of the drying apparatus 1 itself becomes a source of bacteria.

  These features that minimize the entry of bacteria into the interior of the device contribute to the ability of the device 1 to achieve 100% bacteria removal from the air stream. In other words, preventing bacteria from entering the interior, even when the device is not generating airflow, will affect whether the device can achieve its overall goal of 100% bacteria removal. Another factor that may be affected.

  As described above, the main filter devices 410A-410E are positioned and located at the final inlet location to the fan housing 400 in this embodiment. In conjunction with this fact, by providing a bacteria impervious barrier for the main filter device, bacteria will pass through the gaps or joints in the filter assembly except and only through the front of the main filter 410B. It becomes impossible to pass through the main hole 405.

  In other variations, the mechanism for fitting the components of the filter assembly together may be designed so that once fitted, the components cannot be separated from each other by the user. Some form of locking mechanism can be provided. This is to prevent the user from inadvertently opening the filter assembly and thus releasing the bacteria contained therein. The intent of such an embodiment is to periodically replace the entire filter assembly 410A, 410E as an integral unit. In this embodiment, it is recommended that the filter assembly be replaced at least once a month.

  As noted, in some cases, particularly in non-medical surroundings, it is not strictly necessary to use a charcoal filter. People in general health can tolerate small levels of bactericidal substances in the air stream exiting into the surrounding atmosphere.

Integral unit: replacement and disposal of the filter and its components From FIGS. 3, 7A, 7B, 8A, 8B and 1B, the filter device in the assembled state is in the form of an integral and unitary unit. Yes. In other words, all relevant components of the filter device are housed in a single replaceable and disposable unit. When the main filter 410B begins to become full of trapped and sterilized bacterial particles, the entire main filter device may be removed and replaced as a single piece. This is advantageous because the main filter assembly can be easily replaced so that the main filter device itself does not become a source of bacteria when the filter begins to become clogged with trapped and sterilized bacterial particles. It is not only the fibrous filter material that needs to be replaced, but also the surrounding components that are contaminated with bacteria. Such advantages are not available in prior art devices where the components are scattered around the machine as separate components.

Integral unit: replacement and disposal of the inner surface of the device It can be understood from another perspective that a single unit can be removed and replaced in this way. This not only allows the filter elements 410B, 410D to be replaced, but, most importantly, allows the removal and replacement of the “inner surface” 412 of the device 1 that is closest to the final inlet location of the final hole 405. It is. This prevents these inner surfaces 412 themselves from being covered with bacteria or other contaminants over months or years of use.

  This recognizes that the design of the device must be evaluated not for its potential performance when the device is new, but for its potential performance after several years of use. After several years, the inner surface of the machine can also become contaminated with bacteria. This adds another factor to the difficulty of achieving 100% bacteria removal from the airflow over the long term use of the device that may have worked for many years.

  Thus, the ability to replace the critical inner surface of the device located closest to the final hole 405 is that in this embodiment, 100% bacteria removal can be achieved over years of use rather than just a new device. Another factor that contributes.

  In prior art devices, components scattered around the machine can be removed in some cases, but it is very difficult to replace the inner surface. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is an advantage that this sealed environment created in the main filter device can be removed and replaced as a single unit. The critical inner surface leading to the final hole can be easily replaced. This prevents the inner surface located downstream of the final capture filter 410B itself from becoming a source of bacteria over time.

  In FIGS. 7B, 8B, 9A, and 9B, the main capture filter 410B and the charcoal injection filter 410D are separated by a volume in the form of a volume gap 413. The gap 413 is sealed within the bacteria-impermeable barrier. The volume gap 413 serves as a temporary destination that the air flow enters after leaving the capture filter 410B. While not being limited by theory, this localized volume gap 413 does not diffuse air flow across a wide cavernous volume that may increase air turbulence and airflow velocity reduction, Helps maintain airflow within a confined area.

  The main capture filter 410B and the charcoal injection filter 410D are generally parallel to each other when the air flow does not pass through them, and the volume between them is flat and planar.

  The air flow exits the main capture filter 410B and enters the charcoal injection filter 410D in such a way that the air flow is substantially perpendicular to each surface of the filter means.

  In FIG. 7A, the rim height of each filter component defines the distance of the gap 413 between each filter component. It is believed that the distance between the filter pieces affects the ability of air to flow through the entire filter device. This is because the same filter material 410B, 410D arranged together as a single thick sandwich of filter material without gaps does not allow the same velocity of air flow to be achieved.

  The charcoal filter 410D should be located relatively close to the capture filter, thus allowing substantially all of the antimicrobial toxic substances from the main filter 410B to be blocked. Otherwise, if the charcoal filter 410D is separated by a very long distance from the capture filter 410B, after a period of several years, the inner surface of the device between the main capture filter 410B and the charcoal injection filter 410D is toxic. There may be steady accumulation of antibacterial chemicals. Thus, it is an advantage that the gap 413 is as small as possible. Because the gap 413 is small, the air flow exiting the main filter 410B will enter the charcoal filter 410D as soon as possible with little possibility of toxic antimicrobial liquid adhering to the inner surface of the device. become.

Roughly revisiting the release of the substance , the air stream enters the filter device via a capture filter 410B where bacteria are captured and sterilized by the antimicrobial liquid applied to the fibers. Next, continuously, the air flow exiting from the filter 410B enters the charcoal injection filter 410D, where a trace amount of antimicrobial liquid in the air flow is removed.

  In the third embodiment of FIGS. 8A and 8B, a discharge filter means in the form of a discharge filter 410F held in a third housing 410G may be provided after the two filters 410B, 410D.

  The purpose of this emission filter 410F is to add or inject some releasable material into the air stream with some advantage. For example, the beneficial releasable substance may be a pharmaceutical that can be administered to the user in an air-borne manner. In one example, the drug may be a drug used by people suffering from asthma. Typically, people suffering from asthma use inhalers that inhale drug vapors, but with embodiments of the present invention, the drug can be injected into the ambient atmosphere, resulting in drug delivery It becomes possible to inhale continuously in a minute amount state. This approach can be used in connection with other respiratory diseases such as bronchitis and sinusitis. Potentially, diseases that are treated by inhaling people can be alleviated by releasing the substance into the air.

  As an alternative, an advantageous releasable substance may be fragrance. This is useful when the device 1 is used in an unpleasant odor environment, such as a public toilet where fragrances need to be injected into the atmosphere. This can be used especially in the field of aromatherapy.

  For hand dryers used in the medical field or other toilets, this next release filter 410F is toxic, even though highly toxic bactericidal material from the main filter 410B should preferably be removed from the air stream. Low antibacterial substance, which is less effective compared to the highly toxic substance found in capture filter 410B. This low-toxic substance should be directed to the user's hand while drying his hands. This allows for additional antibacterial treatment of the hand.

  In this embodiment, the less toxic antibacterial material released from the emission filter 410F also plays an additional role in killing or minimizing the amount of bacteria entering the device 1 through the end opening 14.

  As noted above, each of the beneficial releasable materials can be used in combination with a chemical release agent.

Flapping Filters FIGS. 9A and 9B show an embodiment in which filters are provided in these filter housings, FIG. 9A shows no air flow, and FIG. 9B shows the air flow passing through. is there.

  In this embodiment, the filter described above is in the form of a flat piece of filter material loosely attached to the pin 411. Loosely attaching to the filter pin is that the filter can flutter in the air stream as shown schematically in FIG. 9B. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that this fluttering of the emission filter 410F helps to release the releasable material from the fibers of the filter 410F into the air stream.

Various embodiments of acceptable filter order and combination present invention can have an acceptable order of a range of filters and (or) combination.

  In all embodiments of the filter device, the main bacteria capture filter 410B is essential.

  For certain medical environments, it is preferable to provide a charcoal-injected fibrous filter 410D next to the capture filter 410B, and those who may be adversely affected by the trace amounts of highly toxic bactericidal substances used in the main capture filter 410B. The same applies to other human activity environments that exist. In other environments where few people are likely to be adversely affected by trace amounts of toxic bactericidal substances, the charcoal injected fibrous filter 410D may be omitted. For example, in such a case, the emission filter 410F may be located next to the capture filter 410B as the next filter in the sequence.

  In other environments, the emission filter 410F may not be necessary. In this case, it is sufficient to provide only the capture filter 410B and arrange the charcoal injection fibrous filter 410D as necessary.

Filter Order and Combination: Four Filters FIGS. 8C and 8D show a fourth embodiment in which the filter device has four filters 410B, 410D, 410F, 410FF in series.

  8C and 8D, the air flow in the filter device first encounters the main capture filter 410B and the charcoal injection filter 410D. Next to these, two emission filters 410F and 410FF are provided.

  In this embodiment, if two or more emission filters 410F, 410FF are provided, each emission filter preferably contains a different beneficial releasable substance. For example, the next filter 410F in the sequence may release fragrance or perfume into the air, while the last filter 410FF in the sequence may release a less toxic antimicrobial substance.

  Thus, in the four filter-type embodiments of FIG. 8C:

i) Bacteria in the air stream are captured by the filter and sterilized by the toxic and highly toxic antibacterial substance applied to the first filter 410B;
ii) Toxic antibacterial material is removed from the air stream by the charcoal injection filter 410D;
iii) The fragrance or perfume from the penultimate release filter 410F evaporates into the air stream,
iv) A mist-like mild antibacterial substance is released into the air stream by the last release filter 410FF, so that the air stream exiting the device will contain a mild non-toxic antibacterial substance.

  It is noted that some material is released into the air stream as it evaporates completely or substantially into the air stream. In contrast, there are other substances that are released into the air stream as fine particles or fine mist-like liquids. For example, in the above example, perfumes or fragrances are likely to evaporate into the air stream, whereas releasing certain mild antimicrobial substances into the air stream There is probably the possibility that it occurs in the form of a fine mist that enters.

  Thus, if two or more emission filters 410F, 410FF are provided and if one of these has an evaporable material and the other has a material that forms mist, the air flow is first It is preferable to encounter a filter 410F that contains evaporable material, and then encounter a filter 410FF that contains material that forms mist.

  Such an order and placement is recommended because if the mist forming material is applied to the penultimate filter (410F in FIG. 8A), the mist will not be released into the surrounding environment. This is because there is probably a possibility of being captured or collected on the last filter (410FF).

Filter ordering mechanism that guarantees an acceptable filter order. In order to ensure that the components in the filter device are arranged or mated together in a desired order, each filter holder is different only in a predetermined acceptable order. A mechanism that can engage with the filter holder is provided. The filter holders 410C, 410E, 410G are each provided with a mounting order means that allows the filters to be attached to each other only in the order described above.

  The mounting order means provided on each filter housing is in the form of a profiled contour that exactly matches the corresponding contour provided on the next located filter housing in one of the allowable orders. . In FIG. 7B, the mounting order means is in the form of a bayonet mount. The dimensions and position of the bayonet mounts for each of the housings 410C, 410E, 410G are designed so that no unacceptable combinations can occur as described above.

  For example, an embodiment of the filter device cannot include a charcoal injected fibrous filter 410D that is the first filter in sequence. Therefore, the filter housings 410C, 410E, 410G are designed with connectors that can only match or be coupled to another of the filter housings in an acceptable combination.

  For example, an acceptable combination can be seen in FIG. 7B, where the rear of the main filter housing 410C can match or be coupled to the front of the housing 410D for the charcoal injection filter.

  In other embodiments, the mounting order means may be in the form of a pin that is provided in one filter housing and can only match another in the filter housing when provided with a corresponding pin hole. good. The locations of the pins and pin holes are determined so that only an acceptable coupling order is possible.

  When each of the filter holders are attached to each other in an acceptable order, the filter holders combine with each other to form the bacterial impervious barrier described above.

  The filter holders also fit together in an acceptable order that also forms the single stack described above.

One or more auxiliary filters In the embodiment of FIGS. 1A and 1B, in addition to the main filter assemblies 410A, 410B, 410C and more preferably 410D-410G, the inlet means includes main filter devices 410A-410E / G. Preferably, it further comprises one or more auxiliary filters arranged in series.

  In the embodiment of FIG. 1A, the auxiliary filter 520B partially reduces the number of bacteria in the air flow, but not all of the air flow passes through the auxiliary filter. For example, in this embodiment, if no rubber strip is provided to seal the gap between the hood 10 and the base plate 11, some air flow can enter the dryer 1 through these gaps, As a result, bacteria can enter through the gap. This is because in this embodiment, the external filter 520B is simply regarded as an “auxiliary filter”.

Maintaining Air Flow One or more auxiliary inlets 520D each comprise a bacteria capture filter means (520B). For that reason, providing more than one filter increases the overall combination “thickness” of filter material that the bacteria must pass through, thus increasing the likelihood that the bacteria will be trapped by the filter material. Because.

  In the embodiment of FIGS. 1A and 1B, the air that flows into the housings 10, 11 passes through the series of holes and eventually reaches the heating element 300 (the first auxiliary hole 520D is not visible in FIG. 1A). This is because the hole 520D is shown in an exploded view of the auxiliary filter assemblies 520A, 520B, and 520C, so that the three parts of the auxiliary filter assembly can be inserted into the hole 520D. You can see if it fits).

  The coarse mesh of the auxiliary filter holders 520A, 520C is useful for filtering out large dust and other particles. Other embodiments may have more than three layers configured in the auxiliary filter assembly.

  The auxiliary filter 520B located at this first hole 520D stops a substantial portion of the bacterial particles entering the inlet means of the dryer. In practice, however, not all of the bacterial particles are captured by the auxiliary filter 520B. Further, even when the hood 10 is open through the gaps between the housings 10 and 11, another bacterium is not removed. May enter 1. Therefore, the main filter 410B attached to the main hole 405 is used to capture bacteria in the airflow that is not captured by the first auxiliary filter 520B.

  It is logically necessary that the greater the thickness of the filter material that the air stream must pass, the more likely it is that bacteria carried in the air stream will be trapped. However, simply increasing the thickness of the main filter 410B found in the inner fan casing 400 is not a viable solution. This is because the operation of the fan 401 requires a certain input or throughput of air as part of the fan operating parameters. If the main filter 410B is simply thickened, it will reduce the amount of air entering the fan casing, which is very likely to cause overheating and deterioration of the fan mechanism, and the fan motor will catch fire. It can even be attached.

  Thus, rather than simply increasing the thickness of the main filter 410B, two or more acquisition filters can be provided in series to effectively increase the amount of filter material that the air stream must pass through. preferable. In other words, it is preferable to provide one or more auxiliary filters 520B that the air flow must pass before reaching the main filter 410B.

  Alternatively, in embodiments where a series of acquisition filters are provided, these can also be achieved by adding additional multiple acquisition filter components 410B, 410C. This serial arrangement is achieved by increasing the stack of components. In other words, it is better to provide several acquisition filters in series instead of providing only one acquisition filter of large and equivalent thickness.

  In this embodiment, the auxiliary filter 520B can also be considered in series with the main filter 410B. This is because the air flow passes through each of these filters one after the other or in succession, depending on the sequence.

  Explaining the background art, the fan assembly 401 acts as an air pump that draws air into the pump from within the housing 10,11. In order to maintain the speed of the air flow generated by the fan 401, there must be a sufficient volume of air for the fan to inhale. This is because the housings 10, 11 have a fairly large interior, so that a fairly large mass of air can be placed near the fan assembly. This also means that the main hole 405 and the main filter assemblies 410A, 410B, 410C are per unit time from the next nearest inlet in the continuum, ie, the first auxiliary hole 520D and its filter assemblies 520A, 520B. This is because, in terms of the amount of air, a significant amount of space within the housing containing sufficient air to satisfy the air intake requirements of the fan 401 assembly is separated.

Advantages of Series of Filters In this embodiment, at least one auxiliary inlet 520D may be provided on the outer surface of the housing 10 so that the user can access it from the outside of the housing. FIG. 1A shows the auxiliary filter assemblies 520A, 520B, and 520C in an exploded view, showing that components can be accessed and replaced from outside the housing 10. FIG.

  In the embodiment of FIGS. 1A and 1B having an inner main filter 410B and an outer auxiliary filter 510B, it can be seen that the outer filter 520B traps most of the dust and large particles. This allows the inner main filter 410B to be used for capturing bacterial particles in most cases.

  In an experimental test, it was found that with only the auxiliary filter 520B provided, the dryer 1 can achieve a reduction of about 79% of bacterial particles in the air stream emitted from the dryer. The reason for this loss of efficiency is believed to be that some bacteria entered the housing 10, 11 through a small gap between the edge of the hood 10 and the base plate 11.

  However, in the case of the combination of the main filter 410B and the auxiliary filter 520B provided at the last inlet 405 of the fan housing, the experimental test shows that the dryer 1 is free of bacterial particles from the discharged air stream 200C. The objective of removing 100% of the amount was achieved.

  In a variant where the main filter is provided on the surface of the hood 10 and this is the only filter device, it is preferably 100% if all other gaps or inlets to the housing are sealed during use. Of bacteria removal can be achieved. For example, a rubber gasket may be provided in the gap between the housing 10 and the base plate 11, and as a result, a seal is made when the hood 10 is closed and pressed against the base plate 11. If the hood is opened and bacteria are introduced into the device, the efficiency is low. In other words, in this embodiment, all gaps in the housing that are not intended by the intention and design for the airflow path of the device are sealed to a level that prevents entry of bacteria.

  In order to avoid any doubt, the air flow path of the device according to the intention and design is characterized by having holes with the intention to allow the air flow to pass through, and unintended gaps in which air may accidentally enter Not equipped.

  In other embodiments, the auxiliary filter holders 520A, 520C may also hold a bulk material containing fragrance. In other embodiments, the auxiliary filter may carry both a fragrance carrier and a filter material impregnated with an antimicrobial disinfectant.

Filter Replacement In this embodiment, the filter actually captures the bacterial particles and sterilizes the captured particles. As a result, the filter may become clogged with dead bacterial particles over time. Therefore, in the embodiment of FIG. 1A, it is recommended to replace one or more filters 410B, 520B monthly.

  In practice, the person responsible for the maintenance of the dryer may forget to change the filter as often as necessary to obtain optimal operating conditions. This can cause motor damage if it becomes clogged without replacing the filter. For example, the motor may overheat because less air reaches the motor than is necessary to prevent the motor from overheating due to a clogged filter.

  Thus, in the alternative embodiment of FIGS. 6A and 6B, the bacteria capture filter means has a filter exchange mechanism that can automatically replace the filter material with a replacement filter material in use.

  In the embodiment of FIG. 6A, the filter replacement mechanism includes a spool motor 700. In FIG. 6A, the filter material is in the form of a loop of sheet-like filter material 440B that moves around spool 710 in a manner similar to a conveyor belt.

  The sheet-like filter material 440B moves across an auxiliary hole (not shown) provided in the hood 10 of FIG. 6A to serve as a filter for the auxiliary hole. Thus, over time, as filter material 440B passes across the holes, the filter material in use is periodically replaced with a replacement filter material after a period of time.

  In other embodiments, the sheet filter material 440B may be adapted for use in the main filter assembly.

  The operation of the spool motor 700 is controlled by a microprocessor control circuit that controls the timing and operation of the spool motor. The motor 700 can move the filter material 440B either continuously or intermittently. For example, the motor can move the filter material once a month, so that the filter material covering the holes is effectively replaced every month. As a variation, the motor 700 may gradually move the filter material 440B in a certain very slow motion. This allows a large amount of filter material to be oxidized to the filtration process. Assuming that this filter material 440B is also frequently replaced, for example, once a month, this means that this form of cycle filter is less likely to become clogged.

  This embodiment includes a guide that allows the filter material to be held taut against the hole.

  FIG. 6 shows another variation in which the sheet-like filter material 450B is formed like a camera roll film, which advances from one spool to the next, and finally, Leaving the first spool 710A, at that point, the air enters the housing 10, 11 in an unfiltered state. This means that the user responsible for maintenance must change the filter on time before the filter is fully wound on the second spool 110B. However, the advantage of this variant is that the filter is less likely to become clogged to the extent that it causes damage to the fan motor 430 and overheating.

  It should be noted that FIGS. 6A and 6B have been prepared only to show details of embodiments of the filter change mechanism, and for the sake of clarity other internal details such as the fan The casing and the like are omitted from FIGS. 6A and 6B.

Safety Features In the embodiment of FIG. 1A, the inner main filter assemblies 410A, 410B, 410C of FIGS. 1B and 3 can only be replaced by opening the housing to expose internal components within the housing.

  As a general comment on hand dryers in this technical field, opening the hand dryer body or housing by a user who has not been trained as an electrician may increase the risk of the user being electrocuted.

  In the embodiment of FIG. 1A, the dryer 1 has an electric control circuit that supplies power to the dryer 1. The electrical control circuit includes a cutoff mechanism for disabling power supply when the housing is opened and minimizing the risk of a user being electrocuted when the housing is opened.

  In FIG. 1B, the cut-off mechanism is in the form of an elastic mounting switch 501 that allows power supply only when depressed.

  FIG. 2A shows this embodiment with the hood 10 in a closed state, and FIG. 2B shows the same embodiment with the hood 10 in an open state. In this open state of FIG. 2B, the user can access the internal components, and in particular, can replace the internal main filter 410B.

  In order to eliminate the risk of electrocution by the user, the interior of the hood 19 is provided with a cut-off mechanism activator or actuator in the form of an upright post 502. From a comparison of FIGS. 2A and 2B, it is clear that the switch 501 is depressed by the tip of the post 502 when the hood 10 is closed. On the other hand, when the hood is opened, the tip of the post 502 lifts the switch 501, thereby disabling power supply to the dryer 1.

  The switch 501 is disposed on the base plate 11 and attached thereto. The hood 10 of the housing can be detachably attached to the base plate 11. The post 502 is attached to the inner surface of the hood.

  In an alternative embodiment, the switch may be attached to the inner surface of the hood while the depressor (post) is attached to the base plate.

  The features of the cut-off mechanism contribute to the achievement of the objective of a sterilization drying device that emits a stream of heated air from which at least some, preferably 100% bacteria have been removed. This is because such a feature allows the user to replace the internal filter 410B without the risk of electrocution when exposed to internal components. Therefore, this feature provides a safe environment in which a series of filters can be stored in the dryer.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1A, the base plate 11 is fastened to a wall, for example. The dryer 1 can be installed on the wall by attaching the housing 10 to the base plate 11. This means that if the dryer 1 is actually defective, the user can disconnect the hood 10 from the base plate 11 and connect the replacement hood 10 without defects.

  The electrical cut-off switch 501 means that the safety level is improved when the user opens the hood 10 and installs or removes the assembly of the hood and its housed components. The cut-off switch 501 prevents the device 1 from being electrically alive (energized) until the hood is closed. Thus, the commercial advantage of this feature is that the dryer 1 can be maintained by a person who is not a qualified electrician. Generally speaking, there is a reduction in the cost of maintenance of these dryers, and there is no requirement for a qualified electrician to install the unit because the dryer with the device open is not energized. When used in, significant savings are obtained.

  Also, during the construction of large buildings, such as hotels or hospitals, the base plate can first be installed by an electrician to connect the wiring to the power source, and then another person can later attach the hood 10 to it. It can be attached with a state component, eg, 400,430.

  Another advantage of being able to separate the hood 10 assembly from the base plate 11 is that the repair technician does not need to repair the dryer 10 in place and the user simply removes the hood assembly 10 along with its components. It can be replaced with a new hood. Next, the defective hood should be taken out for repair. This means that the repairman does not have to spend excessive time where the dryer is installed. Also, the downtime experienced by the user is short and the user can replace the hood with its components without help.

  In the embodiment of FIGS. 1A and 1B, the dryer 1 is connected to an external power source by a terminal block 500. The terminal block facilitates connection of the electrical control circuit of the dryer 1 to an external power source.

  In FIG. 1B, the electrical control circuit of the dryer 1 has a plug 503 that can be plugged into the terminal block 500 for connection to a power source.

Sensors In FIGS. 1A and 1B, the dryer 1 comprises sensor means in the form of detector-type sensors.

  The detector type sensor 600 detects whether or not a hand exists in the vicinity of the protruding end opening 14 provided in the front portion of the hood 10. When the hand is detected, the detector type sensor 600 operates the rotary fan 401 and the heating element 300. Thus, when the user places his / her hand under the end opening 14, the dryer 1 automatically operates to start drying the user's hand.

  In this embodiment, detector type sensor 600 includes an infrared sensor.

In order to reexamine the sanitization of the surrounding air, the dryer of FIG. 1 removes the bacterial particles from the air sucked into the housings 10 and 11 and releases the air with all or substantially all of the bacterial particles removed. With the ability to Thus, if the fan 401 is operated periodically, such an alternative embodiment of the dryer 1 can function as an atmospheric bacteria removal device. For example, if the dryer 1 of the present embodiment is operated every 30 minutes, every hour, or at some other suitable interval, a significant portion of the airborne bacteria is periodically removed from, for example, air in a public toilet. Can be removed to clean the air.

  To achieve this, the modified device 1 is provided with a timer control circuit that automatically activates the fan 401 periodically over a predetermined period.

  Thus, regular automatic activation of the device 1 effectively sterilizes a portion of the ambient atmosphere around the hand dryer. For example, the timer control circuit may operate for 3 minutes every 30 minutes.

  In such retrofit embodiments, detector-type sensor 600 can also detect whether a hand is not present. When the detector type sensor 600 detects that no hand is present in the vicinity of the end opening 14, this means that the dryer 1 is automatically activated to operate in the air purification mode while heating the air flow. Can do. This prevents the dryer 1 from blowing cold or non-warm air onto the hands located below the end openings 14. Thus, the timer control circuit can sterilize the ambient atmosphere around the device 1 by operating the device 1 at regular intervals or intermittently.

  This feature that allows the hand dryer to have the additional capability of sterilizing the ambient air is particularly useful in the season of the year when there is a high incidence of airborne diseases. For example, this is particularly useful during the flu season.

  This feature also allows the dryer to act as a fragrance when a scented substance is further retained by the filter holder. For example, a fragrance or perfume pad may be provided between the filter holders 410A, 410C, 520A, 520C. When used in conjunction with a timer control circuit, this means that fragrances can be infused automatically and regularly into the ambient air of a washroom or public toilet environment at regular intervals. .

  If the device 1 is used as a means of sanitizing the ambient air and / or providing a fragrance to the ambient air, it is preferable not to activate the heating element 300, otherwise, for example, the temperature of the toilet is unnecessary. Or to an extent that is uncomfortable for the user.

  Alternatively, in some embodiments, the heating element 300 may still be activated during this automatic operation by a timer control circuit. It has been found that during this automatic cycle, the ambient air is not excessively heated even when the heater is in the operating state.

  Thus, some embodiments of the present invention can function as a combination of fragrance, sterilization hand dryer and ambient air sanitization means.

  In another embodiment, the timer control circuit comprises light sensor means 504, and optionally only if the timer control circuit finds that ambient light is present by the light sensor means. It may be constrained to only actuate the device automatically for the purpose of (or) scenting. In other words, this function will not be automatically activated, for example if the toilet or toilet is in total darkness. This is true if the washroom is used only during the day, and the device does not need to operate continuously during the night.

While other alternative embodiments have been described, these are merely examples, and modifications can be conceived that fall within the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

In other embodiments, the fan casing 400 and fan motor components may be fastened to the base plate 11 rather than within the hood 10.
In other embodiments, the air stream 200C may be released into the drying chamber rather than directly into the surrounding environment around the dryer 1.

  The shape of the post 502 and the cut-off mechanism may vary as long as the same function is achieved. For example, a cut-off mechanism may be incorporated at the hinge 12. This embodiment is not limited to the specific appearance of the cut-off mechanism as long as the cut-off occurs when the hood is opened.

  The number of filters may vary, in particular depending on the output of the motor used.

  The type of motor or fan can vary.

  The prior art description herein should not be regarded as an admission of the common general knowledge of those skilled in the art.

  This specification includes descriptions of many aspects of the invention.

Other Industrial Fields of Use The filter device of the present invention can be used not only for a hot air hand dryer but also for other devices for sucking and discharging an air flow. Such other devices include, but are not limited to, hair dryers, vacuum cleaners, fans, air conditioners, refrigerators, clothing tumble dryers, and the like. In the following exemplary embodiments of the hair dryer, vacuum cleaner, fan, and refrigerator, the above description of the features and advantages of the filter device of the hand dryer 1 as well as the preferred features is a hair dryer, vacuum cleaner, fan, air conditioning This applies to a rough description of the oven, clothes dryer, refrigerator, and other applicable uses.

Example: Hair Dryer FIG. 10A shows an embodiment of a filter device used for the hair dryer 2.

  The air flow through the hair dryer 2 is represented by arrows 200A and 200C. Ambient air enters the hair dryer 2 (arrow 200A), is warmed, and then exits the hair dryer (arrow 200C).

  The intention regarding the hair dryer 2 is the same as the intention regarding the hand dryer 1, i.e., the flow of hot air 200C (hot air) exiting from the dryer should not contain bacteria.

  The arrangement principle of the filter device in the hair dryer 2 is somewhat similar to the arrangement principle of the hand dryer 1 in terms of the order of the filters in relation to the air flow, but the order of attachment to the base element is reversed. Yes.

  FIG. 10A is an exploded view of the main filter assemblies 410A, 410B, 410C, 410D, 410E.

  FIG. 10A shows the main filter assembly in relation to where the main filter assembly fits into the main inlet 405 of the hair dryer casing 400 (only to help the reader understand this embodiment). The same reference numerals as in the previous embodiment are used).

  In FIG. 10A, the filter assembly has a base element 410A that fits directly into the main inlet or main hole 405 of the hair dryer.

  Base element 410A includes a number of elastic claws 408 that allow the base element to engage and lock into main hole 405.

  In the case of a hair dryer, the bacteria capture filter 410B is not in direct contact with the base element 410A. Instead, the capture filter 410B must be first in the order in which it receives the incoming air flow path 200A.

  The order of the filters is always described in relation to the direction of the air flow 200A, 200C.

  Thus, the filter holder 410C is used to carry the bacteria capture filter material 410B. This is the first filter that the airflow 200A encounters when the airflow 200A enters the hair dryer 2. The trapping filter 410B is covered with an antibacterial adhesive film and operates as described above.

  Next, in sequence, the air flow encounters another filter holder 410E that is used to carry the charcoal injection filter 410D. The charcoal filter 410D blocks the air flow 200A and removes a trace amount of bactericidal substances from the air flow 200A.

  A filter holder 410E for the charcoal filter engages with the base element 410A.

  The base element 410A engages with the rear end of the hair dryer 2.

  Thus, the air flow entering the main inlet 405 of the hair dryer 2 can be 100% free of bacteria and thus the warm air flow released to the user's hand is also 100% free of bacteria. And, most importantly, it does not contain toxic bactericidal substances.

  In another embodiment of FIG. 10B, a substance release filter may be added in a manner similar to that described above with a third filter added in order. A fragrance may be added to the air stream, and this fragrance can impart a fragrance to the drying hair. The fragrance filter is positioned just between the base element 410A and the charcoal filter holder 410E. In other words, the fragrance filter is the last filter in the order.

  FIG. 10C shows another modification of the embodiment of FIG. 10A having four filter devices that are substantially the same as the four filter device shown in FIG. 8C.

  In other embodiment, it is good to store the filter apparatus 410A-410E in the casing of the hair dryer 2 so that a user may not see. The inner stack of filters also has a bacteria impervious barrier, which provides the advantages described in connection with the inner structure of the hand dryer 1.

Example: Vacuum Cleaner FIG. 11A shows an embodiment of a filter device used in the vacuum cleaner 3.

  The air flow through the vacuum cleaner 3 is represented by arrows 200A and 200C. Ambient air enters the vacuum cleaner 3 (arrow 200A), is filtered for dust and large particles, and then exits the vacuum cleaner (arrow 200C). However, this ambient air still contains bacteria and therefore a filter device is used to remove bacteria and pathogens.

  FIG. 11A is an exploded perspective view of the main filter assemblies 410A, 410B, 410C, 410D, 410E.

  FIG. 11A shows the main filter assembly in relation to where the main filter assembly fits into the main outlet 405 at the rear of the casing 400 of the vacuum cleaner. (The same reference numerals as in the previous embodiment are used only to help the reader understand this embodiment.)

  In FIG. 11A, the filter assembly has a base element 410A that fits directly into the main inlet or main outlet hole 405 at the rear of the vacuum cleaner.

  Base element 410A includes a number of resilient pawls 408 that allow the base element to engage and lock into main outlet hole 405.

  In the case of a vacuum cleaner, the capture filter 410B is again the first in the sequence to contact the effluent air stream 200C.

  The order of the filters is always described in relation to the direction of the air flow 200A, 200C.

  In FIG. 11A, the filter assembly has a base element 410A that fits directly into the main inlet or main outlet hole 405 of the vacuum cleaner. Base element 410A includes a number of resilient claws 408 that allow the base element to engage and lock into main outlet hole 405.

  The airflow 200C exiting the vacuum cleaner first encounters the bacteria capture filter 410B. The bacteria trapping filter 410B is supported and housed by a filter holder 410C engaged with the base element 410. The trapping filter 410B is covered with an antibacterial adhesive film and operates as described above.

  The base element 410A and the filter holder 410C are provided with corresponding insert mounting parts so that these parts can be fitted with the plug-in engagement means. In other embodiments, other forms of engagement mechanisms, such as interdigitated pins or pressure fit mounts, may be used.

  Next, in sequence, the air flow encounters a charcoal injection filter 410D supported or housed by another filter holder 410E. The charcoal filter 410D blocks the air flow 200A and removes a trace amount of bactericidal substances from the air flow.

  Thus, the air flow exiting from the main outlet 405 of the vacuum cleaner 3 does not contain 100% bacteria, and, importantly, does not contain toxic bactericidal substances. Thus, this does not contribute to contamination of the ambient atmosphere by bacteria.

  In other embodiment, it is good to store the filter apparatus 410A-410E in the casing of the hair dryer 2 so that a user may not see. The inner stack of filters also has a bacteria impervious barrier, which provides the advantages described in connection with the inner structure of the hand dryer 1.

  The air that comes out of a normal vacuum cleaner contains pathogenic bacteria that are sucked from the floor. Therefore, the filter device described above helps remove bacteria from the effluent air stream from the vacuum cleaner.

  FIG. 11B shows another modification of the embodiment of FIG. 11A having four filter devices that are substantially the same as the four filter device shown in FIG. 8C.

Example: Fan FIG. 12A is a front view of a fan 4 using an embodiment of a filter device. FIG. 12B is a side view of the fan.

  The air flow through the fan 4 is represented by arrows 200A and 200C.

  The rotatable fan blade 4A is located in an enclosure consisting of two oppositely located and opposed dome half cages 4B-F, 4B-R (F = front, R = rear). It is stored.

  Ambient air (arrow 200A) enters the rear of the fan 4 through the rear dome half cage 4B-R and is released by the fan through the front dome half cage 4B-F (arrow 200C).

  FIG. 12C is an exploded side view of the main filter assemblies 410A, 410B, 410C, 410D, 410E, 410F, 410G. (The same reference numerals as in the previous embodiment are used only to help the reader understand this embodiment.)

  A filter device is attached to the outer surface of the rear dome half cage 4B-R, and this filter device is formed as a stack of nested dome half filter holders 410C, 410E, 410G. Each of these filter holders supports the fibrous filter described above in connection with the filter used in the hand dryer 1 in its dome.

  In this embodiment, the function of the filter device is to ensure that the airflow 200C exiting the fan contains substantially less bacteria than in the case of the inflowing airflow 200A.

  FIG. 12B is a side view of the main filter assembly with the filter holders 410C, 410E, 410G all attached one after another. Filter holders 410C, 410E, 410G are shown more clearly in the exploded view of FIG. 12C.

  The filter holder is provided with attachment means that allow the filter holder to be attached to the rear part of the rear dome-shaped cage 4B-R. The actual attachment means is not shown here, but can be embodied in many forms.

  When the air flow 200A is drawn toward the fan 4, this air flow first encounters the first filter holder 410C, which is of the type described above in connection with the hand dryer 1. A functional bacteria trapping filter material 410B is held on its inner curved surface.

  Next, if applicable or desired, the air flow 200A encounters a second filter holder 410E, which is a charcoal of the type and function described above in connection with the hand dryer 1. The particle injection filter 10D is provided in a state of being held on its inner curved surface.

  Preferably, the air flow 200A encounters a third filter holder 410F, which holds the discharge filter 410F of the type and function described above in connection with the hand dryer 1 on its inner curved surface. The release filter releases the releasable material from the fibers of the filter 410F into the air stream.

  Thus, the air flow entering and exiting the fan has a substantially lower level of bacterial particles than the level of ambient air, and, most importantly, to sterilize bacteria in the capture filter 410B. Contains no toxic bactericidal substances used.

  In another embodiment, the filter devices 410A to 410G may be housed inside the casing for the fan 4 so as not to be noticed by the user.

  The filter holders 410C, 410E, and 410G are formed as a semicircular dome-shaped cage, and the semicircular dome-shaped cage is provided along the radius of the dome, and the filter holder fits on the support stand or frame 4C of the fan. It has a slit that can be temporarily expanded so that it can.

  Each of the filter holders further has a hole provided in the center for receiving the fan frame 4C.

  In this embodiment, the actual form of the fan is not part of the present invention. This is because the embodiment of the filter device of the present invention can be used for a wide variety of fans.

  12D and 12E show another embodiment of a filter device for a fan that includes a four-filter device that has substantially the same function as the embodiment of FIG. 8C.

Example: Air conditioner and clothes dryer filter device embodiments can also be incorporated into air conditioners and clothes or clothes dryers. In the case of a clothes dryer, the filter device is located at the air inlet so that the clothes are not exposed to air containing bacteria.

  In the case of hand dryers and clothes dryers, filtration occurs when an air stream enters the device.

  In the case of hand dryers and vacuum cleaners, filtration occurs when the air stream exits the device.

  Embodiments of the filter device can also be incorporated into a refrigerator so that the air that flows into the refrigerator does not contain bacteria.

  In these embodiments, three-filter and four-filter devices can be used.

Example: clothes dryer FIG. 13 is a simplified schematic of the clothes dryer 5. The actual mechanism of this machine is known to those skilled in the field of clothes dryers and will not be described in detail here.

  The clothes dryer 5 is provided in the machine and has an enclosure 5A that receives hot air to dry clothes.

  The air stream 200A enters the machine and first passes through the bacteria trapping filter 410B of the type and function described above in connection with the hand dryer 1.

  Next, in sequence, the air stream 200A passes through the charcoal particle injection filter 410D of the type and function described above in connection with the hand dryer 1.

  Thus, the air flow entering the enclosure 5A has a substantially lower level of bacterial particles than the level of ambient air, and, most importantly, the toxic nature used to sterilize bacteria in the capture filter 410B. Does not contain bactericidal substances.

  Also, three and four filter devices can be used in these embodiments used in clothes dryers.

Example: Refrigerator FIG. 14 is a simple schematic diagram of the refrigerator 6. The actual mechanism of this machine is known to those skilled in the field of clothes dryers and will not be described in detail here.

  The refrigerator 6 includes an enclosure 6A that receives cold cooling air.

  The air stream 200A enters the machine and first passes through the bacteria trapping filter 410B of the type and function described above in connection with the hand dryer 1.

  Next, in sequence, the air stream 200A passes through the charcoal particle injection filter 410D of the type and function described above in connection with the hand dryer 1.

  Thus, the air flow entering the enclosure 6A has a substantially lower level of bacterial particles than the level of ambient air, and, most importantly, the toxic nature used to sterilize bacteria in the capture filter 410B. Does not contain bactericidal substances.

  Also, three and four filter devices can be used in these embodiments used in clothes dryers.

In embodiments of the chemical release agent hand dryer 1 and other embodiments of the airflow device described above, the airflow can be intermittent. In other words, there may be long periods during which no airflow in use occurs through the device.

  Reference is made to the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 8A and 8C, and also FIGS. 10B, 10C, 11B, 12C, and 12D. In those embodiments where one or more emission filters 410F, 410FF are provided, the filter fibers are provided with an active substance that can become airborne. For example, in some embodiments, the achieved material may be a fragrance, a perfume, or a mild non-toxic antimicrobial material.

  In formulations that are activated by air flow, the active material can become airborne for at least a useful period of time. For example, the active substance can be evaporated to vapor or can be released into the air as a mist.

  In a modified embodiment, the active substance can be combined with a release agent, which restricts the active substance from being carried by air at normal room temperature and pressure, but with a formulation into the air stream. Upon exposure, the release agent releases the active ingredient into the air stream.

  The advantage of using an active substance in combination with such a release agent is that passive release of the active substance into the atmosphere is avoided or minimized when airflow is not operating in the device. It is in.

  Thus, the active substance found in the filter can potentially last longer compared to the case where the active substance is continuously and gradually released into the air, even in the absence of a working air stream.

  The active material can be any material or combination of materials that can be usefully air-borne for the purposes of the present invention. For example, the active substance may be a fragrance, a deodorant (deodorant), or a biocide. The biocide may be a fungicide or an insecticide. Preferably, the activator is a biocide, such as n-alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium saccharinate, quaternary ammonium salt (eg chloride), Triclosan, o-benzyl. O-benzyl chlorophenol, 2-phenylphenol and / or N-alkyl N-ethyl morpholinium sulphates.

  Preferably, the active material is volatile within the normal range of ambient temperature and pressure, but this should remain carried in the air for a time sufficient for the active material to have its useful effect. As long as this is possible, it is not an essential requirement for the present invention.

  The active substance may be dissolved or suspended in the carrier. The carrier may be formulated to promote volatilization of the active material once released to the environment. The carrier may be formulated to physically and / or chemically stabilize the active material so that it does not degrade over time. For example, the carrier may include a UV stabilizer that reduces degradation of the active material when the active material may be exposed to sunlight during transport or storage.

  The carrier may be a solvent that is volatile at room temperature and is preferably non-toxic to mammals, such as water, linseed oil, suitable organic solvents, alcohols, or mixtures thereof. Solvent mixtures can be advantageously used, for example, when the active substance contains two or three substances having different solubilization or dissolution properties. Preferably, when the active substance and / or carrier includes a volatile component, the release agent encapsulates the active ingredient and / or carrier.

Release agents include any substance or combination of substances, such substances being
(1) The active substance is designed to contain or delay being carried by air, for example by volatilization,
(2) It remains stable in still air at normal room temperature and pressure.

  Thus, release agents vary in formulation and / or preparation according to the properties of the active substance used in a particular application. Thus, the release agent is compatible with the active substance, and various formulations of the release agent can be applied depending on the active substance. The active substance may be impregnated, embedded, encapsulated, or physically or chemically bound to the active substance. In a particularly preferred formulation of the invention, the active agent comprises a volatile biocide microencapsulated within a release agent. In another preferred form, the active substance is a fragrance.

  The release agent may be a solvent, gel, paste or slurry that is low or virtually non-volatile at room temperature and pressure, and can be volatilized only by applying an air stream and / or hot air. Or it may be a gel. For example, the active substance may be stably impregnated, dissolved or mixed in the release agent at room temperature and pressure, and the active substance is at least substantially retarded against volatilization, preferably Incorporated into the release agent. When exposed to flowing air and optionally heated, the release agent should become volatile and / or become unstable and release into the air stream passing through the active ingredient.

  If the release agent includes a solvent, it should be highly viscous and non-volatile at room temperature and pressure. Examples of suitable solvents include vegetable oils containing suitably heavy fractions such as cooking oils, lanolin, and fatty acids such as stearic acid.

  If the release agent comprises a gel, this may be a polymeric material. The polymeric material may be a homopolymer or a copolymer. The polymeric material may be cross-linked.

  Preferably, the release agent is in the form of small capsules or microcapsules. The microcapsule typically has a diameter of 500 μm or less, preferably 5 to 200 μm. A particularly preferred type of capsule is a wall or shell-shaped capsule with a generally spherical and hollow shell of material insoluble in the active substance. The material is usually a plastic material. The plastic material may be a polymer or copolymer that is optionally cross-linked, and optionally containing suitable additives known in the art to achieve the desired properties. The plastic material may be a resin. The plastic may be an amino resin, such as a condensation product of urea and melamine and formaldehyde.

  There are various methods for producing such shell capsules, including in situ polycondensation used to produce aminoplast resin capsules from urea-formaldehyde or melamine-formaldehyde polymers. In this process, for example, a dispersion or emulsion of the active substance may be formed in an aqueous solution of urea-formaldehyde or melamine-formaldehyde precondensate under stirring conditions to obtain capsules in a preselected size range. The conditions are adjusted to cause condensation of the initial condensate with an acid catalyst, so that the condensate separates from the solution and surrounds the dispersed active substance to produce microcapsules.

  Microcapsules exhibit excellent active substance retention over a long period of time. This is because the capsules prevent the active material from evaporating or other loss until the integrity of the capsule wall is compromised and release the active material or the wall is otherwise broken. The present invention, in its most preferred form, has a good storage stability in still air, but a microcapsule having a polymer wall that has lost sufficient structural integrity when exposed to rapidly flowing air. It is related.

  Microcapsules are formed by a coacervation method, but this is optional, and in such a coacervation method, a carrier in the form of an oil reservoir is surrounded by a very thin polymer membrane, This polymer membrane is generally very mechanically unstable, but is hydrophobic and resistant to humid conditions that may be found, for example, in public toilets. This property is exploited in active substance delivery applications, where delivery is initiated by applying a mechanical force, e.g. air flow, thereby degrading the integrity of the polymer membrane and releasing the active substance. The

  Where the release agent includes a paste or slurry, it may include a synthetic or natural adhesive, such as gum arabic or a synthetic polymer adhesive, to act as a binder.

  The release agent may be a microporous encapsulated product. The release agent may be a melamine polymer shell. The melamine polymer shell is preferably composed of microcapsules adapted to hold the active agent. The polymer shell may be impermeable and can therefore contain volatile actives such as fragrances or biocides. Microcapsules can contain both fragrances and biocides. Fragrances should be chemically non-reactive and can therefore be stored in the same microcapsule without degradation. As a variant, some microcapsules may contain fragrances and other biocides. The mixture of microcapsules can be housed in the same device, for example a filter cartridge. The microcapsules may vary in size, for example, 3 to 500 μm, preferably 3 to 200 μm, and even more preferably 5 to 100 μm.

  The release agent may be suitably formulated so that it can be bonded to the substrate or attached differently. The substrate may be a porous panel, such as a wire or plastic mesh. The panel should be thick enough to allow air flow to pass through. The release agent may be sufficiently sticky or adhesive to adhere to the panel surface and the panel itself.

  The substrate may be a filter medium. The filter medium may be a natural or synthetic material depending on the application and the required filtration characteristics. Filter media include cellulose-based fibers such as cotton weave or synthetic materials such as polyester or combinations thereof. The substrate may be impregnated or coated with other useful materials that act as deodorizers and / or adsorbents, such as carbon.

  The release agent and the active substance may be applied together as a lump together by spraying, brushing or rolling, and optionally laminated. When an air stream is applied to the substrate, the surface layer of the formulation degrades, thereby exposing the previously unexposed surface to the surrounding environment. The formulation can advantageously provide new surface material by multiple application of flowing air over time.

  Preferably, the active substance is contained in a release agent in the form of polymer microcapsules. The microcapsules may be sprayed or otherwise applied to the airframe surface, for example a filter, for storage in the cartridge. To apply the microcapsules, the emulsion may be sprayed onto the substrate. A suitable microcapsule system is available from Reed Pacific Pty Ltd under the trade name “Potenza” and optionally includes suitable additives that provide airflow release capability.

  The formulation can be provided in the form of a sealed cartridge for storage of the formulation and replacement with the same used component. Cartridges include sealed containers that contain a formulation for storage. The cartridge is preferably vacuum sealed once the formulation is delivered to the cartridge. The cartridge may be made of any suitable material that is resistant to the components of the composition. Suitable materials include APET, PETG, polypropylene, and polyacrylonitrile in view of transparency, thermoformability, and general chemical resistance. Other materials with low transparency include polyethylene and nylon. Other materials such as aluminum or stainless steel may be selected in view of strength and chemical resistance. Of course, one skilled in the art will select the appropriate material or combination of materials depending on the formulation of the composition.

  The container may include a seal. The seal may be activated to expose the contents of the cartridge to the surrounding environment. The seal may be deflectable, removable or pierceable. The seal may be activated to expose its contents when the cartridge is placed in actual use. The seal may be a membrane or film. The membrane or film may be made of metal foil or soft plastic, or polyethylene.

  Depending on the application, the composition may be applied to the substrate in the form of panels arranged in parallel or in series with respect to the expected air flow direction in use. As a variant, the substrate may be in the form of pillars, bumps or amorphous fibers so that the new surface of the formulation is exposed to the surrounding air as the previous composition surface gradually deteriorates. The

  Normal room temperature, humidity and pressure will vary depending on many factors, including location and season. Generally, high altitude locations far from the equator are characterized by low temperatures and low air pressure, and the equator region is characterized by high ambient temperatures and high humidity and pressure. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, such factors need to be considered in determining the composition of the formulation.

Example 1
The fragrance with the smell of lemon was encapsulated in an ultra-small melamine polymer shell with a size of 5-100 μm. The polymer shell was impermeable to the encapsulated or encapsulated fragrance to preserve the fragrance until the release trigger was activated. (However, the polymer shells are thin enough that their structural integrity is easily broken by mechanical agitation, for example, by applying a moving air blast to the surface of the polymer shell.) Sprayed and vacuum sealed the cartridge. Next, the cartridge was opened and stored in a hand dryer for the toilet. When the hand dryer was turned on, warm air (about 50 ° C.) was passed through the cartridge. Air flow structurally disrupted the microcapsule polymer shell wall, releasing volatile fragrances. The cartridge was left in the hand dryer and tested for fragrance effectiveness multiple times per day based on individual cases. Good fragrance spread was observed over a period of 35 days. Suitable microcapsule products are commercially available from Canpoint International Pty Limited, NSW Lidcombe, Australia. According to an independent test result by the British laboratory, as a result of the application of the formulation to the filter media, at least airborne fungal spores that are alive when the air passes through an air dryer containing an active cartridge are present. 79% decrease.

Example 2
A formulation of a suitable formulation in the form of a stable perfume gel is described in US Pat. No. 5,419,879 (hereinafter simply referred to as “Blahakis”) to Vlahakis et al. May be said). This US Pat. No. 5,419,879 describes the production of a perfume-containing stable gel formed from a combination of chemical components. The melting point temperature of the perfume-containing stable gel is about 125 ° F to about 150 ° F. The preferred melting temperature of the gel is about 140 ° F. The perfume content of the perfume-containing stable gel is about 70.0% to about 85.0% based on the weight of the formulation. A preferred perfume content is from about 75.0% to about 80.0% based on the weight of the formulation. A more preferred perfume content is about 75.0% based on the weight of the formulation. The stability of this prior art perfume gel means that the gel can be maintained as a solid, uniform and uniform mixture. The perfume-containing stable gel does not liquefy or form a slurry, remains as a solid under the temperature conditions described above, and has the perfume content described above.

  The Brahakis perfume stable gel formulation contains about 2.0% to about 10.0% water, based on the weight of the formulation. Preferably, the water is at its boiling point when initially mixed with the odorless glycol, and preferably the water is in an amount of about 5.0% based on the weight of the formulation.

  The perfume-containing stable gel formulation further comprises from about 5.0% to about 15.0% soap based on the weight of the formulation. A preferred soap is sodium stearate having a carbon content of C12 to C20 and a melting point of about 158 ° F. or higher. Preferably, the soap is in an amount of about 7.5% based on the weight of the formulation for formulations for cherry, jasmine, baby powder, and spice deodorant gels. Preferably, the soap is in an amount of about 9.0% based on the weight of the formulation for formulations for green apple, lemon, bubble gum, spearmint, and gardenia deodorant gel. Increasing the amount of soap in these latter formulations increases the melting point and helps solubilize the perfume.

  Brahakis' perfume stable gel formulation is a non-ionic that helps to increase the melting point of the formulation and to initially maintain the formulation product in solution and later to stabilize the formulation product as a solid. A surfactant is further included. Preferably, the nonionic surfactant comprises an amount of ethylene oxide sufficient to provide a melting temperature range of about 100 ° F. to about 150 ° F. The amount of nonionic surfactant is preferably from about 2.0% to about 15.0% based on the weight of the formulation. More preferably, the amount of nonionic surfactant is about 3.75% based on the weight of the formulation. Nonionic surfactants that are preferably used include nonylphenol, polyethylene glycol, or mixtures thereof. Among the products, mention may be made of Nonoxynol 100 containing 100 moles of ethylene oxide, Inconel NP-100 and nonylphenol from 80 moles up to 150 moles. Examples of polyethylene glycol include polyethylene glycol 8000 and BASF Pluracol line. Other nonionic surfactants that can be used include nonionic surfactants similar to BASF's Tetronic and Tetronic R line. However, this latter group of nonionic surfactants is generally more expensive to use than the former group.

The perfume stable gel formulation further comprises from about 0.1% to about 0.3% preservative based on the flow rate of the formulation. Preservatives help to inhibit the growth of mold or fungi attached to the surface of the perfume-containing stable gel. A preferred preservative used in the present invention is Glydant (DMDM Hydantoin 55% solution) (C ₇ H ₁₂ N ₂ O ₄ ), chemically known as the chemical abstract number, (6440-58-0). Preferably, the amount of preservative is about 0.25% based on the weight of the formulation.

  The Brahakis perfume-containing stable gel formulation may further comprise a perfume component. The effective perfume content for the Brahakis formulation was found to be about 70.0% to about 85.0% based on the weight of the formulation. For the purposes of the present invention, it is preferred to reduce the amount of perfume to about 50% or less based on the weight of the formulation, resulting in higher stability, but the other ingredients may make up the remainder of the weight percentage of the formulation. Increase proportionally to make up. Perfumes improve the scent characteristics of the product. Specific examples of suitable perfumes include lemon, bubble gum, cherry, spearmint, green apple, baby powder, gardenia, jasmine, medicinal herbs, spices and the like. The main aromas used are derived from a fruit-like odor group and a floral odor group. However, it is possible to create a wide variety of scents depending on the type of scent desired.

  The Brahakis perfume stable gel formulation further comprises an odorless glycol. The amount of odorless glycol used in the chemical formulation should be sufficient to help solubilize the perfume ingredients. The addition of odorless glycol helps to stabilize the evaporation rate of the formulation and increases the melting point of the formulation. Preferably, the amount of odorless glycol used is from about 0.1% to about 12.0% based on the weight of the formulation. A preferred amount of odorless glycol is about 8.75% based on the weight of the formulation. Preferred odorless glycols used in the formulation include propylene glycol, glycerol, hexylene glycol, or a mixture of two or more thereof.

  The Brahakis perfume stable gel formulation may further comprise an inert filler material. The amount of filler material used in the formulation is from 0% to about 4.0% based on the weight of the formulation. Preferably, the amount of filler material used is about 0.5% based on the weight of the formulation. The filler material may be selected from the group comprising diatomaceous earth, clay, mud, silica and sand. Adding these filler materials to the formulation is optional. However, the filling material serves to control the evaporation rate of the perfume component.

  The Brahakis perfume stable gel formulation may further comprise ethanol or odorless mineral spirits. The amount of ethanol or odorless mineral spirit used is from 0% to about 5.0% based on the weight of the formulation. Preferably, the amount of ethanol or odorless mineral spirit used is about 3.0% based on the weight of the formulation. Ethanol and odorless mineral spirits can solubilize some of the perfumes and reduce the cost of manufacturing some of the expensive perfumes (ie, green apples) without adversely affecting the performance of the gel. Help. Preferably, the mineral spirit is composed of an aliphatic hydrocarbon.

  In the production of Brahakis perfume-containing stable gel, (1) the oil phase and (2) the aqueous phase are mixed. The oil phase contains a nonionic surfactant and the desired perfume. First, the nonionic surfactant is heated to a temperature of about 120 ° F to about 150 ° F. This is heated in a stainless steel mixing vessel with a 55 gallon jacket. A heating band around the mixing vessel serves to heat the nonionic surfactant and liquefy it. The nonionic surfactant is thus heated for about 24 to 48 hours, depending on the size of the batch and the heating temperature used.

  After the nonionic surfactant is fully heated and liquefied, it is transferred to a smaller gallon jacketed stainless steel mixing vessel with an open top. The mixing vessel also has a heating band around it that serves to heat the nonionic surfactant and the perfume added in an amount previously measured in this step. The two components are thoroughly mixed using an electric mixer in a mixing vessel, which is equipped with an attached stirrer that operates at about 750 rpm. The perfume is mixed with the nonionic surfactant at a temperature of about 120 ° F. to about 150 ° F. for about 10 minutes.

  The second phase necessary for the formation of the perfume-containing stable gel is an aqueous phase. In order to produce the aqueous phase, a pre-measured amount of odorless glycol is boiled and added to the hot water. Glycol and water are mixed together in a 55 gallon jacketed stainless steel mixing vessel with an open top. The two components are thoroughly mixed in the mixing vessel by an electric mixer, which is equipped with an attached stirrer operating at about 750 rpm. Odorless glycol is mixed in hot water at a temperature of about 158 ° F. for about 5 minutes. The soap is then added to the glycol / water mixture in a premeasured amount. Thoroughly mix the soap into the glycol / water mixture in the mixing vessel until the soap dissolves and no agglomerates remain. The soap is mixed with odorless glycol and water at about 158 ° F. for about 15-30 minutes.

  Next, a mixture of water, odorless glycol and soap, i.e., the aqueous phase, is added to the nonionic surfactant and perfume, i.e., the oil phase. All of these ingredients are thoroughly blended in a mixing vessel at a temperature in excess of 140 ° F. with an electric mixer, which is equipped with an attached stirrer operating at about 750 rpm. Preservatives are added during this mixing stage. The ingredients are then thoroughly mixed for about 15 minutes.

  Finally, the optional filler material may be added to the mixture using a ladle and a desired amount of filler material is scooped into the mixture. The mixture is stirred thoroughly until it reaches the desired consistency.

  Once it is confirmed that the formulation is completely blended and still in the molten state, the formulation is scooped out of the mixing container using a ladle and placed into individual deodorant containers.

  Finally, the containers containing the formulation are cooled by placing the dispensers on conveyor belts and blowing cool air over these dispensers. Pass the cold air through the tunnel sent by the air conditioning unit. While the container is placed in the tunnel for 3-5 minutes, the gel formulation solidifies within the dispenser assembly, thus securing the finished perfume stable gel in the disposable deodorant container. The amount of formulation that is prepared at one time is limited to the amount that should be charged to the dispenser on a particular day. Typically, this amount may vary from 200 pounds (90.7 kg) to 400 pounds (181.4 kg) per day.

Example 3
Prior art UK Patent Application No. 1,432,163 (Applicant: CIBA GEIGY AG) describes a delayed release formulation suitable for use in the present invention wherein the release of the active substance is Although it is negligible in still air at room temperature and pressure, it is accelerated when subjected to a high temperature air stream, for example, when placed in or adjacent to an electric fan hand dryer.

  A particularly good long-lasting deodorizing effect is obtained with the following air-conditioning formulation according to the formulation of British patent application 1,432,163.

1) Gelling agent: Bentonite derivative or aluminum soap Deodorizing agent: Dimethyl fumarate or diethyl fumarate, and flavoring agent: Deodorizing action of diphenylmethane, diphenyl ether, bornyl acetate or a mixture thereof, in this case, bornyl acetate and linalool Is still evident even after 90 days.

2) Gelling agent: Polymer resin Deodorizer: Dimethyl fumarate or diethyl fumarate Flavoring agent: Diphenyl ether, bornyl acetate

3) Gelling agent: bentonite derivative, aluminum soap or polymer resin Deodorant: several kinds of aldehydes without citral or aromatic nucleus Fragrant: diphenylmethane, in this case, when bentonite derivative is used as a gelling agent, the deodorizing action is It is still clear even after days.

4) Gelling agent: Bentonite derivative Deodorizing agent: Phenylacetaldehyde and similar aldehyde containing at least one aromatic nucleus Flavoring agent: Diphenylmethane, diphenyl ether, bornyl acetate, in this case, deodorizing action is for 90 days It is still clear even after.

5) Gelling agent: Aluminum distearate Deodorizer: Mixture of citral and dimethyl and / or diethyl fumarate in a weight ratio of 1: 5 to 5: 1 Fragrance: Diphenyl ether or bornyl acetate, in this case deodorizing The effect is still evident after 90 days of use of this formulation.

The formulation is preferably prepared as follows.
1) Regularly heat the entire amount of gelling agent, for example, aluminum soap and liquid paraffin, with continuous stirring, and finally obtain a homogeneous gelled mass at a temperature of 70 ° C to 150 ° C. ,
2) Cool the resulting gel to 90 ° C. with continuous stirring, add the full amount of deodorant and flavoring agent,
3) Add the whole amount of deodorant and flavoring agent, and finally,
4) Pour the resulting fluid gel into a mold at about 80 ° C. or process this gel into granules in a granulator.

  For example, upon cooling the formulation of this prior art formulation, a solid formulation is obtained. The formulation can be easily removed from the mold and then packed into a casing, eg, a modular cartridge that can be installed in a blower-type hand dryer, which contains the deodorant and attachment during storage. Impermeable to the fragrance component, the cartridge is opened or actuated by the user to expose the formulation.

  The various embodiments have been described by way of example only, and modifications can be conceived that fall within the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims.

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of an embodiment of a sterilized hand dryer, with its auxiliary filter device shown in an exploded view, when the embodiment is mounted on an upright surface, such as a wall, It is the figure shown in the state seen from. 1B is a top perspective view of the same embodiment as in FIG. 1A except that the device is shown open to show its internal components inside the housing and the main filter device is attached to the fan casing. . FIG. 2 is a front view of a base plate for the embodiment of FIGS. 1A and 1B, showing the base plate with the front view visible when it is attached to an upstanding surface, such as a wall. 1B is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 1A showing the device with the housing in a closed configuration (note that certain internal components are shown using dotted lines in FIG. Most of the details of the internal components are omitted from FIG. 2A for clarity). 1B is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 1A showing the device with the housing in an open configuration (note that certain internal components are shown using dotted lines in FIG. 2B; Most of the details of the internal components inside the hood have been omitted from FIG. 2B for clarity). 1B is an exploded view of a first embodiment of a filter device of a main filter used for a main hole in the embodiment of FIG. 1A. FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view from below of the fan casing visible in FIG. 1B, except that the fan casing is shown in a separated state to show its underside and heating element, and FIG. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of such a component, shown where the component of the embodiment fits into the main hole of the fan housing. FIG. 3 is a simplified block diagram of the circuit elements of an embodiment of a low drying apparatus. FIG. 6 is a perspective perspective view of another modified embodiment having a filter change mechanism that feeds sheet-like filter material continuously or intermittently across holes provided in the housing. It is a figure which shows the modification example of embodiment of FIG. 6A. FIG. 5 is an exploded side view of a second embodiment of a main filter device that can be used to fit into the main hole of FIG. 4. It is an assembly side view of the filter apparatus of FIG. 7A. FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a third embodiment of a main filter device having three filter components compared to the two components of the embodiment of FIGS. 7A and 7B. It is an assembly side view of the filter apparatus of FIG. 8A. FIG. 6 shows a fourth embodiment of a main filter device with four filter components. FIG. 9 is an assembled side view of the filter device of FIG. 8C having four filter components. It is a figure which shows the embodiment by which the filter piece is arrange | positioned inside these filter housings, and is a figure shown when the airflow does not exist. It is a figure which shows the embodiment by which the filter piece is arrange | positioned inside these filter housings, and is a figure shown by the case where an air flow passes. It is a figure which shows another embodiment of the filter apparatus used for a hair drying apparatus. FIG. 10B is a diagram illustrating a modification of the embodiment of FIG. 10A, wherein the modification is a diagram showing that the filter device includes an additional substance release filter. FIG. 10C is a diagram illustrating another modification of the embodiment of FIG. 10A having substantially the same four filter device as the four filter device shown in FIG. 8C. It is a figure which shows another embodiment of the filter apparatus used for a vacuum cleaner. 11B is a diagram illustrating another modification of the embodiment of FIG. 11A having four filter devices substantially the same as the four filter device shown in FIG. 8C. It is a front view of another embodiment of the filter apparatus used for an air circulation fan. It is a side view of another embodiment of the filter apparatus used for an air circulation fan. It is a decomposition | disassembly side view of another embodiment of the filter apparatus used for an air circulation fan. It is a figure which shows another embodiment of the filter apparatus used for the fan provided with the 4 filter apparatus which has a function substantially the same as the function of embodiment shown to FIG. 8C. It is a figure which shows another embodiment of the filter apparatus used for the fan provided with the 4 filter apparatus which has a function substantially the same as the function of embodiment shown to FIG. 8C. 1 is a simple schematic illustration of an embodiment of a filter device incorporated into a clothes dryer. 1 is a simple schematic illustration of an embodiment of a filter device incorporated into a refrigerator.

Claims (122)

A sterilized hand dryer adapted to generate a flow of heated air that is substantially sterilized to dry the hand,
A housing;
Heating means provided in the housing for heating air that can be used to dry the hands;
Inlet means for introducing air into the housing and moving it to reach the heating means in use;
Outlet means for releasing air as heated air that can be used to dry hands after being heated by the heating means in use;
Air flow generating means adapted to quickly move air from the inlet means to the outlet means through the heating means as an air flow;
The apparatus comprises bacteria trapping filter means that allows airflow to pass during use, the bacteria trapping filter means being adapted to capture and retain most of the bacteria in the airflow during use. The air flow exiting the bacteria trapping filter means is more sterilized than when entering the bacteria trapping filter means,
The bacteria trapping filter means is in the form of a fibrous matrix, the fibrous matrix having a toxic bactericidal substance applied to the fiber, and the bactericidal substance applied to the fiber. A device capable of killing bacteria hitting the bactericidal substance.   The bactericidal substance is a liquid coating substance, and when the liquid coating substance is applied to the fiber, an adhesive coating that captures bacteria that hit the bactericidal substance found on the fiber is formed on the fiber. The apparatus according to claim 1, which is provided.   3. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the air stream exiting the bacteria trapping filter means has fewer bacteria than the air stream entering the bacteria trapping filter means.   4. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the air stream exiting the bacteria trapping filter means is free of at least substantially no bacteria.   The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein 100% of the particulate bacteria are not present in the air flow coming out of the bacteria capturing filter means.   6. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the bacteria trapping filter means blocks the air flow before the air flow reaches the heating means.   7. The inlet of claim 1-6, wherein the inlet means has at least one main inlet, so that all air flow discharged from the hand dryer must first pass through the main inlet. The apparatus of any one of Claims.   The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the at least one main inlet is provided entirely within the housing.   9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the at least one main inlet is provided in an inlet to the air flow generating means such that all air entering the air flow generating means passes through the at least one main inlet.   The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the air flow generating means is housed in a casing, and the at least one main inlet is provided in the casing.   The at least one main inlet is provided in the housing of the device, and apart from the at least one main inlet, all other inlets to the housing are in operation when air is connected to the at least one main inlet. 8. The device of claim 7, wherein the device is sealed so that it can only enter the housing.   12. Apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein the inlet means comprises one or more auxiliary inlets arranged in series with the main inlet and through which the air flow passes one after the other. .   The main inlet is located next to the next in the series arrangement by a substantial space containing enough air to satisfy the air intake requirements of the air flow generating means with respect to the amount of air per unit time The apparatus of claim 12 spaced from the inlet.   The apparatus according to claim 12 or 13, wherein at least one of the auxiliary inlets is provided on an outer surface of the housing and is accessible by a user from the outside of the housing.   15. A device according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein each of said auxiliary inlets comprises said bacteria capture filter means.   The apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 15, wherein the main inlet includes the bacteria capturing filter means.   17. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bacteria trapping filter means comprises a fibrous high density filter material having a sufficiently high density to block and trap most of the bacterial particles in the air stream.   The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the filter material is a nonwoven fiber.   The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the filter material has an average gap or pore selected to be about 150 microns between the fibers. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the air permeability of the filter material is about 234.7 cm ³ / cm ² / sec.   21. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bacteria capture filter means includes a filter exchange mechanism that can automatically exchange the filter material with a replacement filter material during use.   The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the filter replacement mechanism periodically replaces the filter material with a replacement filter material after a period of time during use.   The apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the filter exchange mechanism gradually exchanges the filter material with a replacement filter material continuously or intermittently during use.   The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the filter material is in the form of a sheet-like strip.   25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the filter material is carried by an electric reel mechanism. The device comprises an electrical control circuit that supplies power to the device;
The electrical control circuit includes a cut-off mechanism that disables power supply when the housing is opened in order to minimize the risk of a user being electrocuted when the housing is opened. The apparatus according to any one of 1 to 25.   The cut-off mechanism has a two-state switch that enables power supply only when in the first state, and an actuator that maintains the switch in the first state when the housing is closed Provided in the housing, the actuator actuates the switch to a second state when the housing is opened, thereby disabling power supply to the device when the housing is opened. 27. The apparatus of claim 26.   The cut-off mechanism has an elastic mounting switch that allows power supply only when depressed, and an activator of the cut-off mechanism is provided in the housing, the cut-off mechanism activator is Depressing the switch when the housing is closed, lifting the switch off when the housing is opened, thereby disabling power supply to the device when the housing is opened 27. The apparatus of claim 26 configured.   29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the elastic mounting switch is attached to a base mount to which the hood of the housing can be detachably attached, and the cut-off mechanism activator is attached to the inner surface of the hood.   29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the cut-off mechanism activator is attached to a base mount to which a hood of the housing can be detachably attached, and the elastic attachment switch is attached to an inner surface of the hood.   31. The apparatus of claim 29 or 30, wherein the cut-off mechanism activator is in the form of a depressor that activates the cut-off mechanism when in contact with the cut-off mechanism.   30. The base mount is adapted to be fastened to an upright mounting surface, and the hand dryer is adapted to be installed on the upright mounting surface by being attached to the base mount of the housing. Or 30.   The hand dryer includes a timer control circuit that automatically and periodically activates the air flow generating means over a predetermined period so that the hand dryer effectively sterilizes a part of the ambient atmosphere around the hand dryer. 33. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 32, comprising:   34. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the timer control circuit automatically operates the apparatus without simultaneously operating the heating means.   34. The device of claim 33, wherein the timer control circuit automatically operates the device while simultaneously operating the heating elements.   34. The timer control circuit comprises light sensor means, and the timer control circuit automatically activates the device only when the light sensor indicates that ambient light is present. 36. The apparatus according to any one of thru 35.   The apparatus comprises hand sensor means for detecting the presence of a hand in the vicinity of the outlet means so that the apparatus activates the air flow generating means and the heating means when a hand is so detected. 37. The timer control circuit according to claim 33, wherein the timer control circuit automatically activates the device only when the hand sensor means detects that no hand is present in the vicinity of the outlet means. The device according to item.   38. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 37, wherein the bacteria capture filter means comprises an airborne bacteria filter apparatus according to any one of claims 80-106. A method of creating a substantially sterile flow of heated air from a sterile hand dryer for drying hands,
Using air flow generating means to quickly move air as an air flow;
Heating the air by a heating means so that the air stream can be used to dry hands;
Providing the hand dryer with a bacteria capture filter means that allows the air flow to pass in use;
The bacteria trapping filter means captures and retains most of the bacteria in the air stream during use, and the air stream exiting the bacteria trapping filter means enters the bacteria trapping filter means. It is designed to have a higher degree of sterilization than
The bacteria trapping filter means is in the form of a fibrous matrix, the fibrous matrix having a toxic bactericidal substance applied to the fiber, and the bactericidal substance applied to the fiber. A method capable of killing bacteria hitting the bactericidal substance.   40. A method according to claim 39, wherein the hand dryer is one of claims 1-38. A sterilized hand dryer adapted to generate a flow of heated air that is substantially sterilized to dry the hand,
A housing;
Heating means provided in the housing for heating air that can be used to dry the hands;
Inlet means for introducing air into the housing and moving it to reach the heating means in use;
Outlet means for releasing air as heated air that can be used to dry hands after being heated by the heating means in use;
Air flow generating means adapted to quickly move air from the inlet means to the outlet means through the heating means as an air flow;
The device comprises an electrical control circuit that supplies power to the device;
The electrical control circuit includes a cut-off mechanism that disables power supply when the housing is opened to minimize the risk of a user being electrocuted when the housing is opened.   The cut-off mechanism has a two-state switch that enables power supply only when in the first state, and an actuator that maintains the switch in the first state when the housing is closed Provided in the housing, the actuator actuates the switch to a second state when the housing is opened, thereby disabling power supply to the device when the housing is opened. 42. The apparatus of claim 41.   The cut-off mechanism has an elastic mounting switch that allows power supply only when depressed, and an activator of the cut-off mechanism is provided in the housing, the cut-off mechanism activator is Depressing the switch when the housing is closed, lifting the switch off when the housing is opened, thereby disabling power supply to the device when the housing is opened 42. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein the apparatus is configured.   44. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein the elastic mounting switch is attached to a base mount to which the hood of the housing can be detachably attached, and the cut-off mechanism activator is attached to the inner surface of the hood.   44. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein the cut-off mechanism activator is attached to a base mount to which a hood of the housing can be detachably attached, and the elastic attachment switch is attached to an inner surface of the hood.   46. The apparatus of claim 44 or 45, wherein the cut-off mechanism activator is in the form of a depressor that activates the cut-off mechanism when in contact with the cut-off mechanism.   45. The base mount is adapted to be fastened to an upright mounting surface, and the hand drying device can be installed on the upright mounting surface by being attached to the base mount of the housing. Or 45. A base plate to which a hood of a housing of a sterilization type hand dryer can be detachably attached,
The hand dryer includes an electrical control circuit that supplies power to the device;
When the base plate is used, when the housing is opened with the hood attached to the base plate, electric power is not supplied to the electric control circuit and the user is exposed to electric shock when the housing is opened. A base plate with a cut-off mechanism to minimize the risk of death.   49. The base plate according to claim 48, wherein the sterilization type hand drying device is one of claims 41 to 47.   The base plate according to claim 48 or 49, wherein the hand drying device is one of claims 1 to 25 or any one of claims 33 to 38. A sterilized hand dryer adapted to generate a flow of heated air that is substantially sterilized to dry the hand,
A housing;
Heating means provided in the housing for heating air that can be used to dry the hands;
Inlet means for introducing air into the housing and moving it to reach the heating means in use;
Outlet means for releasing air as heated air that can be used to dry hands after being heated by the heating means in use;
Air flow generating means adapted to quickly move air from the inlet means to the outlet means through the heating means as an air flow;
The hand-drying apparatus is an apparatus provided with a timer control circuit for automatically operating the air flow generating means periodically over a predetermined period.   52. The apparatus of claim 51, wherein the timer control circuit automatically operates the apparatus without simultaneously operating the heating means.   52. The apparatus of claim 51, wherein the timer control circuit automatically operates the apparatus while simultaneously operating the heating elements.   52. The timer control circuit comprises light sensor means, and the timer control circuit automatically activates the device only when the light sensor indicates that ambient light is present. 54. The apparatus according to any one of to 53.   The apparatus comprises hand sensor means for detecting the presence of a hand in the vicinity of the outlet means so that the apparatus activates the air flow generating means and the heating means when a hand is so detected. 37. The timer control circuit according to claim 33, wherein the timer control circuit automatically activates the device only when the hand sensor means detects that no hand is present in the vicinity of the outlet means. The device according to item.   56. Apparatus according to any one of claims 51 to 55, wherein the apparatus comprises a fragrance material that is a source of fragrance, such that the fragrance enters the air stream. A timing circuit component adapted to automatically automatically activate the airflow generating means of a sterilized hand dryer over a predetermined period of time;
The sterilization type hand drying device is adapted to generate a flow of heated air in a substantially sterilized state for drying hands,
A housing;
Heating means provided in the housing for heating air that can be used to dry the hands;
Inlet means for introducing air into the housing and moving it to reach the heating means in use;
Outlet means for releasing air as heated air that can be used to dry hands after being heated by the heating means in use;
The air flow generating means is adapted to quickly move the air from the inlet means to the outlet means through the heating means as the air flow, and the timer control circuit generates the air flow over a predetermined period. Timing circuit component adapted to automatically activate means periodically.   58. The timing circuit component of claim 57, wherein the hand dryer is one of claims 51 to 56 or any one of claims 1 to 32. A method of sterilizing the ambient atmosphere around a sterile hand dryer that is adapted to produce a flow of substantially sterile heated air to dry the hand,
Providing a hand dryer with a timer control circuit adapted to automatically automatically actuate the airflow generation means over a predetermined period;
Automatically operating the sterilization type hand drying device periodically over a predetermined period using the timer control circuit, the hand drying device,
A housing;
Heating means provided in the housing for heating air that can be used to dry the hands;
Inlet means for introducing air into the housing and moving it to reach the heating means in use;
Outlet means for releasing air as heated air that can be used to dry hands after being heated by the heating means in use;
Air flow generating means adapted to rapidly move air as an air flow from the inlet means to the outlet means via the heating means.   The method for sterilizing the ambient air, wherein the hand-drying device is one of claims 51 to 56 or any one of claims 1 to 32. A method of scenting the ambient atmosphere around a hand-drying device adapted to generate an air stream of heated air for drying air,
Providing the hand dryer with a timer control circuit adapted to automatically automatically actuate the air flow generating means over a predetermined period;
Allowing the hand dryer to comprise a fragrance material that is a source of fragrance, allowing the fragrance to enter the air stream;
Using the timer control circuit to automatically activate the hand dryer periodically for a predetermined period of time so that the fragrance in the air stream effectively scents the ambient atmosphere around the hand dryer And a step of
The hand dryer is
A housing;
Heating means provided in the housing for heating air that can be used to dry the hands;
Inlet means for introducing air into the housing and moving it to reach the heating means in use;
Outlet means for releasing air as heated air that can be used to dry hands after being heated by the heating means in use;
An ambient air scenting method comprising air flow generating means adapted to rapidly move air as an air flow from the inlet means to the outlet means via the heating means.   The said hand dryer is the scenting method of ambient air | atmosphere which is a thing in any one of Claims 51 thru | or 56, or any one of Claims 1 thru | or 32. A sterilization type hand drying device adapted to generate a flow of substantially sterilized heated air for drying hands,
A housing;
Heating means provided in the housing for heating air that can be used to dry the hands;
Inlet means for introducing air into the housing and moving it to reach the heating means in use;
Outlet means for releasing air as heated air that can be used to dry hands after being heated by the heating means in use;
An air flow generating means adapted to quickly move air as an air flow from the inlet means to the outlet means through the heating means;
A filter material adapted to filter the air stream,
The apparatus includes a filter replacement mechanism that can automatically replace the filter material with a replacement filter material during use.   64. The apparatus of claim 63, wherein the filter replacement mechanism periodically replaces the filter material with a replacement filter material after a period of time during use.   64. The apparatus of claim 63, wherein the filter exchange mechanism gradually exchanges the filter material with a replacement filter material continuously or intermittently during use.   66. The apparatus of claim 65, wherein the filter material is in the form of a sheet-like strip.   68. The apparatus of claim 66, wherein the filter material is carried by an electric reel mechanism. The filter material includes bacteria capture filter means for passing the air stream during use;
The bacteria trapping filter means captures and retains most of the bacteria in the air stream during use, and the air stream exiting the bacteria trapping filter means enters the bacteria trapping filter means. 68. The device according to any one of claims 63 to 67, wherein the degree of sterilization is higher than that of the time.   69. The apparatus of claim 68, wherein the sterilizing hand dryer is any one of claims 2 to 20 or any one of claims 26 to 38.   69. An automatic filter exchange mechanism for exchanging filter materials of a sterilization type hand dryer, wherein the filter exchange mechanism is a filter exchange mechanism according to any one of claims 64 to 68. . A sterilization type hand drying device adapted to generate a flow of substantially sterilized heated air for drying hands,
A housing;
Heating means provided in the housing for heating air that can be used to dry the hands;
Inlet means for introducing air into the housing and moving it to reach the heating means in use;
Outlet means for releasing air as heated air that can be used to dry hands after being heated by the heating means in use;
Air flow generating means adapted to quickly move air from the inlet means to the outlet means through the heating means as an air flow;
The inlet means includes at least one main inlet, and all air flow in the device must pass through the at least one main inlet;
The at least one main inlet is provided in the inlet to the air flow generating means so that all air entering the air flow generating means is filtered through the at least one main inlet. apparatus.   72. The apparatus of claim 71, wherein the air flow generating means is housed in a casing, and the at least one main inlet is provided in the casing.   72. The apparatus of claim 71, wherein the at least one main inlet is provided entirely within the housing.   The at least one main inlet is provided in the housing of the device, and apart from the at least one main inlet, all other inlets to the housing are in operation when air is connected to the at least one main inlet. 72. The device of claim 71, wherein the device is sealed so that it can only enter the housing.   75. Apparatus according to any one of claims 71 to 74, wherein the inlet means comprises one or more auxiliary inlets arranged in series with the main inlet and through which the air flow passes one after the other. .   The main inlet is located next to the next in the series arrangement by a substantial space containing enough air to satisfy the air intake requirements of the air flow generating means with respect to the amount of air per unit time 76. The apparatus of claim 75, spaced from the inlet.   77. The apparatus of claim 75 or 76, wherein at least one of the auxiliary inlets is provided on an outer surface of the housing and is accessible by a user from outside the housing.   78. The device according to any one of claims 71 to 77, wherein the sterilization type hand-drying device is any one of claims 1 to 7 or any one of claims 26 to 38.   79. The sterilization type hand dryer according to any one of claims 71 to 78, wherein the bacteria trapping filter means is in the form of an airborne bacteria filter device according to any one of claims 80 to 106. An airborne bacterial filter device adapted to be used in a device that draws in an air flow and releases the air flow into a human activity environment, the filter device comprising:
i) having capture filter means in the form of a fibrous matrix, the fibrous matrix having a toxic bactericidal substance applied to the fiber, the bactericidal substance being applied to the fiber; A filter device capable of killing bacteria that hit a bactericidal substance. After passing through the capture filter means, the air flow is
ii) passes through the carbon filter means, the carbon filter means blocks the air flow and removes some of the toxic bactericidal substances originating from the capture filter means from the air flow, and the filter device 81. The filter device of claim 80, wherein the air flow exiting into the human activity area is substantially free of both bacteria and traces of bactericidal substances.   82. The filter device according to claim 81, wherein the airborne bacteria filter device is entirely disposed inside the device.   The filter device comprises a filter barrier means, and the filter barrier means houses the capture filter means and the charcoal filter means to be a bacteria-impermeable barrier for the filter device in use. 83. A filter device according to claim 82.   The bacteria impervious barrier of the filter barrier means separates the capture filter means and the charcoal filter means from the interior of the device and, when used in the air flow, bacteria or other contamination inside the device. 84. The filter of claim 83, wherein a factor can enter the filter device only through the capture filter means and cannot enter the filter device through other parts of the filter device. apparatus.   The bacteria impervious barrier has components that fit together, and when fitted together, the bacteria cannot enter the filter device through the contact points of the components. The filter device according to claim 83.   84. The filter device of claim 83, wherein the bacteria impervious barrier of the filter barrier means also prevents live bacteria inside the filter device from escaping from the filter device and back into the device.   The capture filter means and the charcoal filter means are separated by a volume sealed within the bacteria-impermeable barrier, the volume entering temporarily after the air flow exits the capture filter means. The filter device according to any one of claims 81 to 86, wherein the filter device serves as a destination.   88. The filter device of claim 87, wherein the capture filter means and the charcoal filter means are generally parallel to each other such that the volume between them is flat and planar.   In use, the air flow exits the capture filter means and enters the charcoal filter means in such a manner that the air flow is substantially perpendicular to the surface of each of the capture filter means and the charcoal filter means. Item 91. The filter device according to item 87 or 88.   Next to the capture filter means and the charcoal filter means, there is provided a release filter means containing a beneficial releasable material, the beneficial releasable material being air released from the filter device during use. 90. The filter device according to any one of claims 80 to 89, wherein the filter device is inserted into a flow.   Next to the capture filter means and the charcoal filter means, two or more release filter means, each containing a beneficial releasable substance, are provided, wherein the beneficial releasable substance is in use. 95. The filter device of claim 90, wherein the filter device is adapted to be entrained in an air stream discharged from the filter device.   92. The filter device of claim 90 or 91, wherein the beneficial releasable material comprises a medicinal product that can be administered to a user in a manner carried by air.   92. The filter device of claim 90 or 91, wherein the beneficial releasable material comprises a fragrance.   92. The filter device of claim 90 or 91, wherein the beneficial releasable material comprises an antimicrobial material.   92. The beneficial releasable substance is combined with an air flow activated formulation according to any one of claims 113 to 118, wherein the beneficial releasable substance is an active substance. The filter device as described.   At least the discharge filter means is in the form of a flat piece of filter material, and the flat piece of filter material is within the filter device so that the flat piece of filter material can flutter in the air stream. 92. The filter device according to claim 90 or 91, which is supported.   The bactericidal substance is a liquid coating substance, and when the liquid coating substance is applied to the fiber, an adhesive coating that captures bacteria that hit the bactericidal substance found on the fiber is formed on the fiber. 99. The filter device according to any one of claims 80 to 96, which is provided in claim 1.   98. The adhesive coating can physically hold struck bacterial particles on the fiber, and the bacteria are held in place and killed. Filter device.   99. The filter device according to any one of claims 81 to 98, wherein the charcoal filter means is a fibrous matrix into which charcoal particles are injected.   99. The filter device according to any one of claims 81 to 99, wherein the charcoal filter means reoxygenates the air flow and does not bromide.   101. Each of the filters is housed in a filter holder, and each of the filter holders comprises attachment order means for allowing the filters to be attached to each other only in the order. The filter device as described.   102. The filter device according to claim 101, wherein the filter holders are attached to each other in the order described above, and the filter holders combine to form the bacteria-impermeable barrier.   The mounting order means provided on each filter housing is in the form of a profiled contour, which can only exactly match the corresponding profile provided on the filter housing which is the next in the sequence. 102. The filter device according to claim 101.   104. The filter device of claim 103, wherein the filter holders fit together in the order described above to form a stack. The fibrous matrix is adapted to physically trap bacterial particles while providing minimal resistance to air flow;
The fibrous matrix thus has an average gap or pore between fibers that is much larger than the size of the bacteria so as to provide minimal resistance to the air flow;
A tortuous path for the air flow created by the fibrous matrix, wherein the probability that the bacterial particles hit at least some of the fibers of the matrix is very high. The filter device according to any one of 80 to 104.   106. The filter device of claim 105, wherein the average gap or pore between the fibers is selected to be about 150 microns.   The filter device according to any one of claims 80 to 106, wherein the device is a hand dryer.   The device is a hand dryer, and the device is any one of claims 1 to 38, any one of claims 41 to 56, any one of claims 63 to 69, or 71. The filter device according to any one of claims 80 to 106, which is the device according to any one of claims to 79.   The filter device according to any one of claims 80 to 106, wherein the device is a vacuum cleaner.   107. The filter device according to any one of claims 80 to 106, wherein the device is a hair dryer.   The filter device according to any one of claims 80 to 106, wherein the device is an air conditioner.   107. The filter device according to any one of claims 80 to 106, wherein the device is a clothes dryer. A composition activated by an air stream,
An active substance that will be able to be carried by air for at least an effective period of time;
A release agent that inhibits the active substance from being carried by air at normal room temperature and pressure,
A formulation wherein upon release of the formulation to flowing air, the release agent releases the active ingredient into the air stream.   114. Formulation according to claim 113, wherein the active substance is a biocide and / or a fragrance.   115. Formulation according to claim 113 or 114, wherein the release agent is a microporous polymer.   115. Formulation according to claim 113 or 114, wherein the release agent is a microcapsule polymer shell.   117. The formulation of claim 116, wherein the release agent is a melamine-formaldehyde microencapsulated shell.   118. The formulation of claim 117, wherein the shell size is 5-100 [mu] m.   119. A filter substrate treated with the formulation according to any one of claims 113 to 118.   120. The filter substrate of claim 119, wherein the formulation is sprayed onto the substrate in the form of a liquid emulsion.   121. The filter base according to claim 120, wherein the filter base is provided in a blower device and allows air to pass over or through the filter to release the active substance.   119. Use of a formulation according to any one of claims 113 to 118 applied to a filter device of an airborne bacterial filter device according to any one of claims 81 to 111.

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