WO2003093159A1 - Movable walkways and escalators - Google Patents
Movable walkways and escalators Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2003093159A1 WO2003093159A1 PCT/IB2003/001572 IB0301572W WO03093159A1 WO 2003093159 A1 WO2003093159 A1 WO 2003093159A1 IB 0301572 W IB0301572 W IB 0301572W WO 03093159 A1 WO03093159 A1 WO 03093159A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- movable
- band
- handrail
- disinfecting
- disinfecting device
- Prior art date
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
- B66B—ELEVATORS; ESCALATORS OR MOVING WALKWAYS
- B66B31/00—Accessories for escalators, or moving walkways, e.g. for sterilising or cleaning
- B66B31/02—Accessories for escalators, or moving walkways, e.g. for sterilising or cleaning for handrails
Definitions
- This invention relates to movable walkways and escalators.
- it relates to a movable walkway installation, and to a method of operating a movable walkway.
- the invention provides a movable walkway installation which includes: a movable support member for transporting persons supported thereon; a movable handrail for gripping by persons transported by the movable support member; and a disinfecting device which is installed and positioned for disinfecting the movable handrail during movement of the handrail past the disinfecting device.
- movable walkway is meant a personal conveyance device or system which provides a movable support member on which persons can be supported while the support member moves along a conveyance path.
- the term "movable walkway” thus includes not only horizontal or slightly inclined movable walkways, sometimes referred to as travelators, but also includes escalators, which provide movable staircases for transporting persons along a steeper incline.
- the installation includes a movable walkway which provides an endless movable support member which is movable along an endless course, the movable walkway including an endless band operatively connected to the support member for synchronous movement therewith along a separate endless course such that, along a part of its course, the band provides the handrail for gripping by persons supported on the support member, the handrail being spaced above the support member and being movable in a direction parallel to the direction of movement of the support member, the disinfecting device being installed at a fixed position adjacent the course of the band and operable to provide at least intermittent disinfection of the band as it moves past the disinfecting device.
- the band may be guided on its endless course by a handrail guide, the band extending peripherally along and around the handrail guide, the handrail guide being positioned to extend alongside and parallel to the movable support member, the disinfecting device being positioned and oriented to disinfect an outer surface of the band on the side thereof which is opposite from the handrail guide, its being appreciated that it is this outer surface of the band which will, in use, come into contact with the hands of users holding the handrail, and which will thus be most in need of disinfecting.
- the endless course of the band typically has a forward leg in which the band is spaced above the support member and is movable in the same direction as a forward supporting leg of the support member where the support member faces upwardly, and a return leg in which the band is movable in the opposite direction, the disinfecting device being positioned for disinfecting the endless band on its return leg. In most cases, the disinfecting device will thus not be visible to users of the walkway or escalator.
- the disinfecting device may comprise an irradiating arrangement or an irradiating means for disinfecting the endless band by irradiating it with electromagnetic waves selected to have a disinfecting or germicidal effect.
- the irradiating arrangement is configured to produce ultra-violet waves, the ultra-violet radiation preferably being middle or extreme ultra-violet radiation, having a wavelength of between 180 and
- the irradiating arrangement may include a housing in which a suitable source of electromagnetic radiation, typically a lamp, is housed, the housing being configured to permit passage of the endless band in a longitudinal direction through the housing.
- a suitable source of electromagnetic radiation typically a lamp
- the housing may be shaped at least partially to surround the band, when the band is viewed in cross-section, the housing having a reflective interior which is shaped such that, in use, substantially the entire exposed cross-sectional periphery of the band is subjected to disinfecting or germicidal radiation.
- the housing may be installed such that a slack portion of the band passes through the housing.
- the disinfecting device may be arranged to deposit a disinfectant or germicidal substance on the endless band, the disinfecting device optionally including a pad which is impregnated with the disinfectant or germicidal substance, the disinfectant device also including an urging means for urging the pad into contact with the band as the band is moved past the disinfecting device, so that the pad is configured to clean the band by abrasion and simultaneously to deposit a film of the disinfectant or germicidal substance on the band.
- the invention extends to a disinfecting device suitable for forming part of a moving walkway or escalator installation as defined above.
- the invention extends to a method of operating a movable walkway, which method includes at least intermittently disinfecting a movable handrail of the walkway by means of a disinfecting device installed at a position at or adjacent an endless course along which the handrail moves, so that the handrail is disinfected as it moves past the disinfecting device on its endless course.
- the method typically includes continuously disinfecting the handrail as it moves past the installed disinfecting device.
- disinfecting the handrail comprises irradiating the handrail with electromagnetic waves of which the wavelength is selected to have a germicidal or disinfectant effect.
- the invention extends to a method of operating a movable walkway, which method includes installing a disinfecting device adjacent the movable walkway, to form a movable walkway installation as defined above. It will be appreciated that an existing walkway or escalator can, by performance of this method, be converted to a movable walkway installation as defined above.
- Figure 1 is a schematic side elevation of an escalator installation in accordance with the invention
- Figure 2 is a schematic end view of the escalator installation of Figure 1 ;
- Figure 3 is a detailed part-sectional schematic end elevation of a disinfecting device forming part of the escalator installation of Figure 2, on an enlarged scale;
- Figure 4 is a schematic partial three-dimensional view from above of a further embodiment of an escalator installation in accordance with the invention.
- Figure 5 is a schematic sectional elevation of the installation of Figure 4, taken along line V-V in Figure 4.
- reference numeral 10 generally indicates a movable walkway installation, in this example being an escalator installation, in accordance with the invention.
- the installation 10 comprises an escalator 12 and a pair of disinfecting devices 14 for disinfecting a movable handrail 16 of the escalator 12.
- the escalator 12 provides an endless movable support member
- the support member 18 for transporting persons (not shown) supported thereon along a path extending from one end of the escalator 12 to the other end thereof.
- the support member 18 is inclined, in this example moving forwardly from a lower landing 20 to a higher landing 22 in the direction of arrow 23.
- balustrades 24 comprising handrail guides is positioned alongside the support member 18, the balustrades 24 being on opposite sides of member 18, each balustrade 24 extending parallel to the support member 18.
- Each balustrade 24 has a series of uprights or posts 25 which are transversely spaced apart in series, an endless rail 27 ( Figure 3) extending along the upper and lower ends of the series of posts 25.
- Each balustrade 24 has mounted thereon an endless band 26 which is movable along an endless path or course.
- the band 26 is supported on and longitudinally slidably engaged with the rail 27 of the balustrade 24, so that the band 26 extends along and around the periphery of the balustrade 24, the periphery of the balustrade 24 defining the endless course of the band 26.
- the band 26 is of a flexible polymeric or elastomeric plastics material, in this case being of rubber.
- the endless course comprises an upper, forward leg 28 along which the band 26 moves in a direction parallel to the forward direction of movement of the support member 18 (indicated by arrow 23), and a lower return leg 30, in which the band 26 moves in the opposite direction, indicated by arrow 32.
- the band 26 thus provides a moving handrail for persons supported on the support member 18.
- a disinfecting device 14 is installed adjacent the endless course of each band 26 at a position under the endless course on its return leg 30.
- each disinfecting device 14 is thus installed underground, beneath the surface 34 of the lower landing 20, and is thus not visible to users of the escalator 12.
- Each disinfecting device 14 comprises an irradiating means or irradiating device for irradiating the endless band 26 with disinfecting radiation in the form of electromagnetic waves, in this case ultra-violet waves 36, of which the wavelength and intensity are selected such that the ultraviolet waves 36 have a germicidal or disinfecting effect on the band 26.
- an outer surface 38 of the band 26 which, at the position of the device 14, faces outwardly and downwardly away from the rail 27, can be exposed to the ultra-violet radiation and can thus be disinfected.
- the outer surface 38 of the band 26 is intermittently or continuously exposed to contact with the hands of users of the escalator 12, who use the band 26 as a handrail. It is well known that such contact can infect the handrail 16 with germs and viruses which are transmissible from one user to another. However, as each band 26 moves past its associated disinfecting device 14, these germs and viruses are killed or disabled by exposure to the ultra-violet radiation, thus disinfecting the outer surface 38 of the band 26. The transmission of infections or diseases from one user to another via the handrail 12 is thus inhibited.
- the disinfecting device 14 comprises an irradiating means
- the disinfecting device 14 can instead be arranged operably to deposit a disinfecting substance on the endless band 26.
- reference numeral 50 generally indicates a part of a further embodiment of an escalator installation in accordance with the invention.
- the installation 50 of Figure 4 is functionally similar to the installation 10 of Figure 1 , like reference numerals indicating like parts in Figures 1 to 3 and in Figures 4 to 5.
- the irradiating means includes a pair of ultraviolet lamps 60 housed in an enclosed housing 52 through which the band 26 passes longitudinally.
- the housing 52 thus extends around the band 26, when the band is viewed in cross-section ( Figure 5), so that substantially no ultra-violet radiation escapes the housing 52, thus shielding users from ultraviolet radiation.
- the housing 52 is installed at a part of the endless course of the band 26 where it is not guided by the rail 27, in other words in a slack portion of the band 26, so that the housing 52 completely envelops and surrounds the band 26 where it passes through the housing 52.
- the housing 52 can, in other examples, be configured for installation such that a part of the rail 27 is located inside the housing 52.
- the lamps 60 are in the form of elongated tubes which extend parallel to the lengthwise direction of the band 26 where it passes through the housing 52.
- the lamps 60 respectively have a wattage of 30 watt and produce ultra-violet radiation in the extreme range of ultraviolet radiation.
- the housing 52 is longitudinally split, having a removable lid or cover 54 for permitting ready installation of the housing 52 and for allowing maintenance personnel to access the lamps 60.
- the inner walls of the housing 52 which form the interior 62 of the housing, have a mirror-finish, thus being reflective to ultra-violet radiation.
- ultra-violet waves emanating from the lamps 60 are thus reflected by the interior of the housing 52 such that not only the outwardly facing surface 38 of the band 26, but also the opposing side and surfaces of the band 26, are exposed to disinfecting ultra-violet radiation.
- the irradiating device 14 is compatible with any existing walkway or escalator, so that the device 14 can be retro-fitted to existing walkways or escalators, to form an installation 10 as described with reference to the drawings. It is also envisaged that the band 26 can be at least partially transparent, in which case the disinfecting device can be used to disinfect areas located between the band 26 and the rail 27.
Landscapes
- Escalators And Moving Walkways (AREA)
- Apparatus For Disinfection Or Sterilisation (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (6)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
AU2003226595A AU2003226595B2 (en) | 2002-04-29 | 2003-04-25 | Movable walkways and escalators |
US10/513,127 US7347314B2 (en) | 2002-04-29 | 2003-04-25 | Movable walkways and escalators |
NZ536845A NZ536845A (en) | 2002-04-29 | 2003-04-25 | Disinfecting handrail of movable walkway with ultraviolet light |
CA002495999A CA2495999A1 (en) | 2002-04-29 | 2003-04-25 | Movable walkways and escalators |
JP2004501302A JP2005523860A (en) | 2002-04-29 | 2003-04-25 | Movable walkway and escalator |
EP03747513A EP1507732A1 (en) | 2002-04-29 | 2003-04-25 | Movable walkways and escalators |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
ZA200203404 | 2002-04-29 | ||
ZA2002/3404 | 2002-04-29 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO2003093159A1 true WO2003093159A1 (en) | 2003-11-13 |
Family
ID=29401961
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/IB2003/001572 WO2003093159A1 (en) | 2002-04-29 | 2003-04-25 | Movable walkways and escalators |
Country Status (9)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US7347314B2 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1507732A1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2005523860A (en) |
CN (1) | CN100415629C (en) |
AU (1) | AU2003226595B2 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2495999A1 (en) |
NZ (1) | NZ536845A (en) |
WO (1) | WO2003093159A1 (en) |
ZA (1) | ZA200409653B (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2011131744A1 (en) * | 2010-04-23 | 2011-10-27 | Tanja Nickel | Handrail disinfection device and method for disinfecting a handrail |
Families Citing this family (16)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20090193607A1 (en) * | 2008-02-06 | 2009-08-06 | Adell Loren S | Method and apparatus for disinfecting handles and hand rails |
KR101012067B1 (en) * | 2008-08-21 | 2011-02-01 | 윤인기 | Sterilizing apparatus for handrail of escalator |
JP5564362B2 (en) * | 2010-08-25 | 2014-07-30 | 三菱電機株式会社 | Handrail sanitizer for man conveyor |
US20120187313A1 (en) * | 2011-01-20 | 2012-07-26 | Mike Clark | Systems, Devices, and/or Methods for Managing Disinfection |
DE202011110444U1 (en) * | 2011-04-07 | 2014-02-04 | Maryia Mysko | Conveyor for persons |
JP5783817B2 (en) * | 2011-06-23 | 2015-09-24 | 三菱電機株式会社 | Handrail sanitizer for man conveyor |
US20130240756A1 (en) * | 2012-03-14 | 2013-09-19 | Stanley Segal | Escalator and/or Moving Walkway Rail Sterilization System |
US20140322073A1 (en) * | 2013-04-24 | 2014-10-30 | Kurt Link | Hand rail sanitizier |
US20150028228A1 (en) * | 2013-07-25 | 2015-01-29 | Vioguard LLC | Belt treatment system |
US9856116B2 (en) | 2016-02-03 | 2018-01-02 | Malek Y. S. Ibrahim | Device for cleaning a moving handrail belt |
TWI609834B (en) * | 2016-10-24 | 2018-01-01 | 龍華科技大學 | Sterilization device for hand elevator |
CN109625769A (en) * | 2018-12-27 | 2019-04-16 | 常熟市研拓自动化科技有限公司 | A kind of cabinet Lifting Convey mechanism |
EP4126738B1 (en) * | 2020-03-25 | 2024-06-12 | Inventio Ag | Handrail disinfection device for passenger conveyors |
RU2734046C1 (en) * | 2020-04-11 | 2020-10-12 | Андрей Олегович Басов | Device for automatic disinfection of hand-rails, door handles and other extended objects by means of ultraviolet radiation |
JP7500509B2 (en) * | 2021-07-30 | 2024-06-17 | 東芝エレベータ株式会社 | Sterilization equipment |
JP7428685B2 (en) * | 2021-09-14 | 2024-02-06 | フジテック株式会社 | man conveyor |
Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE2257841A1 (en) * | 1972-11-25 | 1974-05-30 | Geb Koscielny Marianne Goern | ESCALATOR WITH HANDRAIL |
US4976342A (en) * | 1989-11-30 | 1990-12-11 | Hwang Feng Lin | Cleaning device for armrest belt of the escalator |
JPH11116173A (en) * | 1997-10-16 | 1999-04-27 | Kazuo Sugiyama | Automatic washing and disinfecting device for handrail of escalator and travator (moving path for pedestrian) |
Family Cites Families (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3946853A (en) * | 1973-09-27 | 1976-03-30 | Koji Ishida | Escalator belt cleaner |
US4698486A (en) * | 1984-02-28 | 1987-10-06 | Tamarack Scientific Co., Inc. | Method of heating semiconductor wafers in order to achieve annealing, silicide formation, reflow of glass passivation layers, etc. |
US4934512A (en) * | 1989-03-16 | 1990-06-19 | Lin Hwang F | Cleaning device for armrest belt conveyor of the electric escalator |
CN2262548Y (en) * | 1996-07-25 | 1997-09-17 | 北京安达利自动扶梯有限责任公司 | Escalator with sterilizer |
-
2003
- 2003-04-25 NZ NZ536845A patent/NZ536845A/en unknown
- 2003-04-25 EP EP03747513A patent/EP1507732A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2003-04-25 CN CNB038119099A patent/CN100415629C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2003-04-25 US US10/513,127 patent/US7347314B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2003-04-25 CA CA002495999A patent/CA2495999A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2003-04-25 WO PCT/IB2003/001572 patent/WO2003093159A1/en active Application Filing
- 2003-04-25 AU AU2003226595A patent/AU2003226595B2/en not_active Ceased
- 2003-04-25 JP JP2004501302A patent/JP2005523860A/en active Pending
-
2004
- 2004-11-29 ZA ZA200409653A patent/ZA200409653B/en unknown
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE2257841A1 (en) * | 1972-11-25 | 1974-05-30 | Geb Koscielny Marianne Goern | ESCALATOR WITH HANDRAIL |
US4976342A (en) * | 1989-11-30 | 1990-12-11 | Hwang Feng Lin | Cleaning device for armrest belt of the escalator |
JPH11116173A (en) * | 1997-10-16 | 1999-04-27 | Kazuo Sugiyama | Automatic washing and disinfecting device for handrail of escalator and travator (moving path for pedestrian) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2011131744A1 (en) * | 2010-04-23 | 2011-10-27 | Tanja Nickel | Handrail disinfection device and method for disinfecting a handrail |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
ZA200409653B (en) | 2005-10-14 |
CN100415629C (en) | 2008-09-03 |
JP2005523860A (en) | 2005-08-11 |
NZ536845A (en) | 2006-11-30 |
US7347314B2 (en) | 2008-03-25 |
AU2003226595A1 (en) | 2003-11-17 |
CA2495999A1 (en) | 2003-11-13 |
EP1507732A1 (en) | 2005-02-23 |
AU2003226595B2 (en) | 2008-02-07 |
US20060175177A1 (en) | 2006-08-10 |
CN1656007A (en) | 2005-08-17 |
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