MX2013011326A - Lavatory wash station with integrated sink and sanitizing hand dryer. - Google Patents

Abstract

A lavatory wash station includes a wash station housing, a sink basin connected to a front of the housing, wherein the sink basin has a rim, and a sanitizing hand dryer assembly having an air intake and an exit nozzle at the front of the housing. The air intake and the exit nozzle are connected by a dryer flow path and the exit nozzle is disposed at the front of the housing above the rim, where the exit nozzle provides air flow in a substantially downward vertical direction into the sink basin and the sanitizing hand dryer includes an ion generator that treats the air passing through the hand dryer.

Description

WASH STATION IN LAVABO WITH TARJA AND HAND DRYER INTEGRATED DISINFECTANT CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED REQUESTS This application claims priority of the provisional application designated with the serial number 61 / 470,364 filed on March 31, 2011, and entitled "Lavatory Wash Station with Integrated Sink and Sanitizing Hand Dryer" (Wash station in sink with sink and dryer integrated disinfectant hands) and the provisional application designated with serial number 61 / 472,972 filed on April 7, 2011, and entitled "Sanitizing Hand Dryer." These applications are incorporated herein by reference .

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the field of washing stations for bathrooms and, in particular, to a washing station comprising a disinfectant hand dryer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The U.S. Patent 5,199,118 entitled "Hand Wash Station" describes a sanitizing handwashing station that includes a sink, a soap dispenser located above the sink, a water tap located above the sink and a dryer. hands of air - - hot also located on top of the tarja. A first sensor detects the presence of a user's hand in the tap area and causes the soap dispenser to provide soap and the tap to provide water. A second sensor detects when the user has moved the hands adjacent to the hot air dryer causing the hand dryer to start. A problem with this design is that due to the separation of the dryer and the sink, the air that is directed towards the wet hands of the user allows the water to spread out of the sink. In addition, the dryer is not a hand sanitizer disinfectant.

The Publication of the Patent Application of E.U. 2011/0271441 entitled "Lavatory System with Hand Dryer" describes a system for sinks that includes a cover and a first hand washing station. The first hand washing station includes a table supported by a cover and a tap supported by the cover. The washbasin system also includes a hand dryer that includes a housing supported by the cover. The housing defines a cavity in which the hands of the user are inserted during drying and a motor configured to generate air blown in the direction of the cavity. The housing is located in such a way that the user's hands can be inserted into the cavity without the user leaving the - - first hand washing station.

There is a need for an improved disinfectant handwashing station.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Briefly, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a wash station in the wash basin comprises a washing station housing, a sink connected to the front of the housing, wherein the sink has an edge; The washing station also includes a hand sanitizing disinfectant facility having an air inlet and an outlet nozzle at the front of the housing, wherein the air inlet is disposed at the front of the housing and the outlet nozzle is disposed at the front of the housing. housing above the edge, wherein the outlet nozzle provides an air flow in a substantially downward direction in the direction of the sink and the disinfectant hand dryer includes an ion generator that adds ions to the air passing through the dryer. hands .

According to another aspect of the present invention, a wash station in the wash basin includes a washing station housing, a sink connected to the front of the housing, wherein the sink has an edge, and a tap connected to the rim; also including the washing station a disinfectant hand dryer facility that - - it has an outlet nozzle disposed in front of the housing above the edge, and an ion generator that treats the air passing through the hand dryer; A dryer cover covers the nozzle and a section of the sink, where the cover is disposed at a lateral distance from the tap.

In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, a wash station in the wash basin includes a washing station housing; a sink connected to the front of the housing, wherein the sink has a wash section surface and a drying section surface where the drying section surface slopes towards the wash section surface and towards a cover surface; a side wall extending upwards from the drying section surface and a transition surface from the side wall to the drying surface section has a relatively uniform contour, wherein the washing station housing, the sink and the side wall are a component formed unitarily; an automatic tap that directs the water to the washing section; an automatic hand dryer installation having an outlet nozzle that directs forced air to the drying section surface; and a system that disinfects one or more surfaces of the washing station close to the surface of the drying The disinfectant hand dryer may include an inlet filter comprising a prefilter and a HEPA filter. The filtered air then passes through an ion generator to further disinfect the air before discharging it through the outlet nozzle.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent in light of the following detailed description of its preferred embodiments, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a pictorial illustration of a single washing station; Figure 2 is a pictorial illustration of a plurality of washing stations installed in a bathroom; Figure 3 is a perspective pictorial view of a plurality of washing stations and a garbage module; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional illustration of the card; Figure 5 is a pictorial illustration of a washing station in an alternative embodiment; Figure 6 is a perspective pictorial view of a plurality of washing stations and a garbage module in an alternative embodiment; Figure 7 is a perspective pictorial illustration of the washing station of Figure 5 in an alternative embodiment; Figure 8 is a pictorial illustration in side view of the washing station of Figure 5 in an alternative embodiment; Y Figure 9 is a pictorial illustration of yet another washing station in an alternative embodiment; Figure 10 is an illustration of an ion generator that includes an ion generating facility and electronic drive devices.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Figure 1 illustrates a sink washing station 10. The washing station 10 includes a washing station housing 12, a sink 14, a hand washing facility 16, and an automatic sanitizing hand dryer installation 18.

The housing 12 has a housing front 20 extending from a lower housing end 22 to an upper housing end 24, and between a first housing side 26 and a second housing side 28. Preferably the back surface of the housing abuts with a wall.

The card 14 is connected to the front of the housing 20, between the lower and upper ends 22 and 24. The card 14 has a card edge / cover 30, a hand washing sink section 32 and a hand drying sink section 34. The hand drying section 34 is disposed adjacent the second housing side 28.

The hand washing installation 16 includes an automatic tap 36, an automatic soap dispenser 38, and an energy source 40 (e.g., photovoltaic). As is known, the automatic tap 36 includes a tap, an electronically activated valve (not shown), and a tap sensor (not shown). The faucet has a faucet neck 39 and a tap mouth 41. The faucet neck 39 is connected to the faucet edge 30, and extends from the faucet edge 30 to the faucet mouth 41. The faucet mouth 41 directs water to the hand washing sink section 32. The tap sensor (eg, a motion or proximity detector) can be arranged with the tap, and is configured to provide the flow, for example, when the next hand is detected / under the tap.

The soap dispenser 38 has a spout neck 43 and a spout 45. The spout neck 43 is connected to the sill edge 30, between the automatic spout 36 and the first housing side 26. The spout neck 43 is extends from the sill edge 30 to the spout mouth 45. The spout mouth 45 is configured to direct the soap (eg, liquid or foam soap) toward the hand washing sink section 32.

The power source 40 is disposed on the upper end of housing 24. The power source 40 may include a plurality of photovoltaic cells that convert light, for example from a lighting device 42 into a bath (see Figure 2), in electricity in order to energize, for example, the automatic tap 36 and / or the soap dispenser 38.

With reference to Figures 1 and 3, the dryer installation 18 includes an air circulation system, a side wall 44, a dryer cover 46, a purification light 48 and a dryer sensor (not shown). The circulation system includes a fan and an air purification system within the housing 12, an air inlet 50 (see Figure 3), a filter (not shown) and a nozzle 52.

The dryer air purification system may include combinations of an ion generator, UV, filters and other techniques for providing disinfected air through the nozzle 52. In one embodiment the dryer may be a XLERATOR® hand dryer available from the transferee. of the present invention, Excel Dryer, Inc., (www.exceldryer.com), who is also the transferee of the US Patents 6,038,786 and 7,039,301 both incorporated herein by reference. In another modality the The dryer can be based on the proven reliability of the XLERATOR® hand dryer, but modified to include an inlet filter installation and an ion generator. For example, the filter installation may include a coarse filter and a HEPA filter, which are arranged such that the coarse filter is located upstream of the HEPA filter in the airflow path of the dryer. The filter installation is preferably located upstream of the dryer fan, while the ion generator can be located downstream of the dryer fan and the heating coil, but upstream of the nozzle 52.

Although the energy source 40 can provide sufficient energy for the relatively low energy extraction elements such as the automatic tap, the automatic soap dispenser, etc., the dryer will generally require electric cables (eg, 120 VAC, 208 VAC, 220 VAC, 277 VAC, etc.) to energize the relatively low energy extraction elements such as, for example, the dryer fan, the dryer heating coil and the ion generator.

The fan and the air purification system are disposed within the housing 12, and include an air flow conduit between the air inlet 50 and the nozzle 52. The air inlet 50 can be disposed under the sill edge 30, for example, in a corner region of the housing front 20 adjacent the lower housing end 22 and the second housing side 28. The filter is configured to filter the air provided by the downstream air inlet 50. towards the air purification system and the fan. The nozzle 52 is disposed above the sill edge 30 and the tap mouth 41, in a corner region of the housing front 20 adjacent the upper housing end 24 and the second housing side 28. The nozzle 52 directs the air substantially vertically downward towards the hand drying sink section 34. This ensures that dryer air, which is directed towards the hand (s), flows mainly along the interior of the hand drying section inward toward the hand washing sink section 32. The surface of the hand drying section 34 is preferably tilted inward so that water flows into the hand washing section, which contains the drain.

With reference to Figure 1, the side wall 44 extends from the sill edge 30 to the dryer cover 46. This provides a separation for the adjacent washing stations, as shown in Figures 2 and 3. The cover of FIG. dryer 46 is disposed at a lateral distance from the automatic tap 36, in such a manner that the tap remains uncovered. Significantly, the flow of air from the nozzle flows vertically downward to the sink, so that the water that is removed from the user's hands by means of the air flow is contained within the sink rather than falling on the ground, on another surface of the washing station, or on an adjacent washing station.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional illustration of the sink, including the hand washing section 32 and the hand drying section 34. The main path of the air flow from the nozzle (not shown) is illustrated by the arrow 80. As shown in Figure 4, the contours of sections 32, 34 ensure that the air flow moves along the surfaces of the hand-drying sink section 34 toward the washing sink section. of hands 32, taking the water on the surfaces along with it.

Even with reference again to Figure 1, the purification light 48 (eg, a blue purification light) can be disposed at the bottom of the dryer cover 46. The purification light 48 can illuminate and / or disinfect the surfaces of the side wall 44, the housing front 20 and / or the board 14 in a region between the hand drying table section 34 and the dryer cover 46. If the light only illuminates, then the light can be turned on when the - - The dryer is discharging the drying air, and turning off when the user has completed the drying of their hands. In addition to providing visual light, it is contemplated that the light 48 may also purify the surfaces of the washing station reached by the light using visible and invisible wavelengths of light including, for example, UV light. In this case the light can be maintained for a period of time after the fan has stopped, in order to provide the desired purification / disinfection.

The dryer sensor may be disposed proximate the nozzle 52. The dryer sensor is configured to provide an "on" signal to the fan, to the air purification system and / or to the purification light, for example, when the hand is next to nozzle 52.

With reference to Figures 2 and 3, in some embodiments, the washing station 10 can be configured as a modular unit 54 in such a way that a plurality of washing stations 10 can be connected together for use, for example, in a bath public. Each modular unit 54 may also include a garbage receptacle 56, a paper tissue dispenser 58, etc., disposed on the housing front 20.

The washing station may include a screen 60 which is turned on when the dryer installation 18 operates. The screen 60 may be configured, for example, as a - - backlight signal that transmits information about the manufacturer of the washing station 10, etc., or it can be a screen that presents scores in an event, or any other information that the user can find of interest.

Figure 5 is a pictorial illustration of a washing station 70 in an alternative embodiment. This embodiment is substantially the same as the embodiment in Figure 1 with the main exception that the embodiment of Figure 5 includes a dryer cover 72 that is substantially flat with the tap 74 (i.e., approximately at the same height). In contrast, in the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1 the dryer cover 46 is located at a height above the tap 36. Ordinary experience will appreciate that the dryer cover can also be located at a height under the tap.

Figure 6 is a pictorial perspective view of a plurality of the washing stations 70 of the alternative embodiment configured as a modular unit 90 such that a plurality of washing stations 70 are connected to each other for use, for example , in a public bathroom. Each modular unit 70 may also include a garbage receptacle 92 having an opening 94 and a paper tissue dispenser 96.

In some modalities, each washing station 70 - - it may include a screen / logo 98 that lights up when the dryer is discharging air. For example, the screen 98 can be configured, for example, as a backlight signal that transmits information about the manufacturer of the washing station 90, etc., or it can be a screen that presents scores on an event, or any other information that the user can find interest. The washing station may also include a photovoltaic cell 100 to convert light into electricity. In one modality, an illuminated logo may be implemented. The washing station includes a disinfectant hand dryer that preferably provides Log 3 102 purified air through an outlet nozzle 103 with sufficient kinetic energy to rapidly dry the hands of a user, as discussed above with respect to a mode illustrated in FIG. Figure 1. A ceiling 104 covers the piping and electrical cable connections that operably connect the washing station and each washing station can include an inlet 106 that provides air to the disinfectant hand dryer located within the housing of the cleaning station. washed.

Figure 7 is a perspective pictorial illustration of the washing station 70 of Figure 5 in an alternative embodiment. The washing station includes a sink 108 that includes a washing section surface of - - hands 110 and a hand-drying section surface 112. The surface 112 is slightly up and biased (eg, inclined) towards the hand-washing section surface 110 such that the water falling on the surface 112 ( eg, coming from the hands of a user who uses the dryer) descends towards the surface 110 and towards the drain. The washing station also includes a side wall 114 that extends upwardly from the hand-drying surface 112 toward the dryer. The transition from the vertical side wall 114 to the hand drying surface 112 has a relatively uniform contour that facilitates a relatively smooth flow of air (eg, laminar) to move the water along the hand drying surface 112 toward the hand washing section surface 110 and the drain. The washing station 70 may also include a substantially flat cover surface 115 with the upper surface of the dryer cover 72.

Figure 8 is a pictorial illustration in side view of the washing station of Figure 5 in an alternative mode with a user moving it in an operable position.

Figure 9 is a pictorial illustration of yet another washing station 120 in an alternative embodiment. This modality includes a first card 122 and a second - tab 124 (e.g., preferably in a unit piece) each having base surfaces for hand washing. The washing station 120 also includes a hand dryer outlet nozzle 126, such as, for example, the hand sanitizer disinfectant as described above, which discharges the air in a substantially downward vertical direction towards a hand drying surface. generally located between the hand washing base surfaces associated with the first and second tables 122, 124. In this embodiment, the hand drying section of the table preferably leans toward the adjacent hand washing sections of the first and second tables. second 122, 124. The washing station 120 may also include a light source 128 which provides the light 129 which illuminates the area generally under the hand dryer nozzle 126 when operating the hand dryer. As described above, the light source 128 can be configured to disinfect the surfaces of the table including, for example, the hand drying surface of the table, and / or to provide the light that disinfects the surfaces of the table. The washing station 120 may also include a photovoltaic cell 130 for converting the light into electricity to energize the low energy devices such as, for example, the tap and the soap dispenser. A dryer 132 air inlet may be provided throughout - - of the lower surface of the washing station, and a ceiling 134 can cover the piping and electrical cable connections that operably connect the washing station 120. The washing station 120 may also include a backlight display or sign 136.

Figure 10 is an illustration of an ion generator 131 including an ion generating facility 133 and electronic drive devices 135. The ion generating installation includes an insulating structure 137 and a cable grid comprising a plurality of ground wires 138-143 and a plurality of 144-150 corona wires (eg, 0.002 diameter tungsten wire) that provide a negative electrode. The air passes substantially perpendicularly through the grid collecting the ions in the path. The grounding grid is placed just after the heater in the air path with the high voltage grid positioned approximately 0.3"from the grounding grid, A person of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various configurations of the ion generator can be used. to help provide disinfected air such as, for example, Log 3 disinfected air.

Although the hand dryer has been described in the context of a single outlet nozzle that provides forced air to dry the hands of a user, it is contemplated that the dryer may have a plurality of outlet nozzles. The plurality of outlet nozzles may be separated and arranged so as to provide forced hot air to dry both hands of a user simultaneously. Additionally, it is contemplated that the side walls (e.g., 44 and 114) may be non-unitary components with respect to the tarja. Although the tap and the hand dryer have been described in the context of the preferred embodiments of an automatic faucet and an automatic hand dryer which detect the proximity of the user's hands and light up, it is of course contemplated that the modalities may include faucets and hand dryers that are manually lit by the user.

Although the various embodiments of the present invention have been described, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the present invention should not be restricted in light of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims (20)

1. A lavatory wash station comprising: a washing station housing; a board connected to the front of the housing, where the board has an edge; Y a disinfectant hand dryer installation having an air inlet and an outlet nozzle at the front of the housing, wherein the air inlet and the outlet nozzle are connected by a flow path of the dryer and the outlet nozzle is disposed at facing the housing above the edge, wherein the outlet nozzle provides an airflow in a vertical direction substantially downward toward the sink and the hand sanitizer disinfectant includes an ion generator that treats the air passing through the hand dryer .

2. The lavatory wash station of claim 1, wherein the disinfectant hand dryer further comprises an inlet air filter installation that includes a coarse filter and a HEPA filter, wherein the coarse filter is located upstream of the HEPA filter in the flow path of the dryer.

3. The lavatory wash station of claim 2, wherein the ion generator includes a grid of wires through which the air passes through. discharge in the flow path of the dryer, where an electric potential is applied through the grid.

4. A lavatory wash station comprising: a washing station housing; a board connected to the front of the housing, where the board has an edge; a first tap connected to the edge; a disinfectant hand dryer installation having an outlet nozzle disposed in front of the housing above the edge and comprising an ion generator that treats the air passing through the hand dryer; Y a dryer cover located above a section of the table, wherein the cover is disposed at a lateral distance from the first tap.

5. The lavatory wash station of claim 4, wherein the disinfectant hand dryer further comprises an inlet air filter installation that includes a coarse filter and a HEPA filter, wherein the coarse filter is located upstream of the HEPA filter in the flow path of the dryer.

6. The sink washing station of claim 5, wherein the dryer cover includes a light source that either illuminates or disinfects the sink. immediately under the dryer cover.

7. The lavatory wash station of claim 6, wherein the light source comprises a uv light source.

8. The lavatory wash station of claim 7, wherein the ion generator includes a grid of wires through which the discharge air passes in the dryer flow path, where an electric potential is applied through the dryer. the grid.

9. The lavatory wash station of claim 5, wherein the sink is a unitary installation comprising a hand washing section and a hand drying section, wherein the hand drying section is substantially under the nozzle outlet and the hand washing section is substantially under the first tap and the hand washing section is connected to the hand drying section by a surface sloping downwardly from the hand drying section to the washing section of hands.

10. The lavatory wash station of claim 5, wherein the sink is a unitary installation comprising a first hand washing section, a second hand washing section and the hand drying section and the washing station includes a second tap, where the hand drying section is located substantially below the outlet nozzle and the first hand washing section is substantially below the tap and the second hand washing section is substantially below the second tap, and the first and second hand washing sections are separated by the hand drying section.

11. The lavatory wash station of claim 10, wherein the first hand washing section is connected to the hand drying section by means of a first surface sloping downwardly from the hand drying section to the first section of washing, the second hand washing section being connected to the hand drying section by means of a second surface sloping downwardly from the hand drying section to the hand washing section.

12. The lavatory wash station of claim 11, wherein the dryer cover includes a light source that either illuminates or disinfects the sink immediately under the dryer cover.

13. The lavatory wash station of claim 4, wherein the sink is a unitary installation comprising a first hand washing section, a second hand washing section and the hand drying section and the washing station includes a second tap, wherein the hand drying section is substantially under the outlet nozzle and the first hand washing section is substantially under the tap and the second hand washing section is substantially under the second tap, and the The first and second hand washing sections are separated by the hand drying section.

14. The lavatory wash station of claim 13, further comprising a photovoltaic sensor that converts ambient light into electrical energy that is stored in a battery within the lavatory wash station.

15. The wash basin station of claim 9, further comprising a side wall extending upwardly from the surface of the hand drying section and a transition surface having a relatively uniform contour extending from the side wall to the section of the hand drying surface, wherein the table, the side wall and the transition surface are a component formed in a unitary manner.

16. A lavatory wash station comprising: a washing station housing; a table connected to the front of the housing, where the table has a surface of washing section and a drying section surface wherein the drying section surface slopes towards the washing section surface and a cover surface; a side wall extending upwards from the drying section surface and a transition surface from the side wall to the drying surface section has a relatively uniform contour, wherein the washing station housing, the sink and the side wall are a component formed unitarily; an automatic tap that directs the water to the washing section; an automatic hand dryer installation having an outlet nozzle that directs forced air to the drying section surface; Y a system that disinfects one or more surfaces of the washing station close to the drying section surface.

17. The lavatory wash station of claim 16, wherein the hand dryer comprises (i) an ion generator that treats the air passing through the hand dryer and is located downstream of a blower motor of the dryer. hands, and (ii) a HEPA filter element located upstream of the fan motor.

18. The wash station in the wash basin of the claim 16, wherein the sink is a unitary installation comprising a hand washing section and the hand drying section, wherein the hand drying section is substantially under the outlet nozzle and the hand washing section. is substantially under the tap, and the hand-washing section is connected to the hand-drying section by means of a sloping surface from the hand-drying section to the hand-washing section including a drain .

19. The lavatory wash station of claim 18, wherein the hand dryer installation includes a dryer cover comprising a light source that either illuminates or disinfects the sink under the dryer cover.

20. The wash basin station of claim 19, wherein the cover surface is substantially planar with the dryer cover.