AU2005312337B2

AU2005312337B2 - Hand washing and drying apparatus

Info

Publication number: AU2005312337B2
Application number: AU2005312337A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Kenneth Tasman Choate; Nigel Wright
Original assignee: Mediklean Tech Pte Ltd
Current assignee: Mediklean Technologies Pte Ltd
Priority date: 2004-12-01
Filing date: 2005-12-01
Publication date: 2010-07-01
Anticipated expiration: 2025-12-01
Also published as: AU2005312337A1

Description

WO 2006/058374 PCT/AU2005/001809 HAND WASHING AND DRYING APPARATUS FIELD OF THE INVENTION 5 The present invention relates to hand washing and drying apparatus. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Hand washing and drying facilities generally comprise a wash basin, a soap dispenser, and 10 a blow dryer separated at a distance from each other. The separation of washing, cleansing and drying operations often results in washing liquid and particulate matter being splashed, sprayed and blown into the surrounding environment. Combined hand washing and drying apparatus have been proposed. Such apparatus 15 generally comprise a cabinet in which a blow dryer and a soap dispenser are mounted above an open wash basin. This open configuration also frequently produces splashing of washing liquid and dispersal of particles. The dissemination of washing liquid and particles during hand washing and drying is 20 highly undesirable because it creates an unclean and unsafe environment. A need therefore exists for a washing and drying apparatus in which splashing of washing liquid and blowing of particles outside the apparatus is minimised or eliminated. 25 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, there is provided a hand washing and drying apparatus including a horizontal chamber having a front opening and a back wall, a sump with a drain arranged in a lower portion of the chamber, an upper spray nozzle arranged in an 30 upper portion of the chamber to direct liquid generally vertically downward, two side spray nozzles arranged in opposed side portions of the chamber to respectively direct liquid WO 2006/058374 PCT/AU2005/001809 -2 generally laterally inward, an air conduit arranged in an upper portion of the chamber between the upper spray nozzle and the back wall to direct air downward, and an inwardly turned lip forming a continuation of a front portion of the chamber and projecting inward beyond the front opening to prevent liquid and air from escaping out of the chamber and 5 away from the front opening. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS An embodiment of the present invention is hereinafter described, by way of non-limiting 10 example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic front view of a hand washing and drying apparatus of an embodiment of the present invention with internal components depicted in phantom; Figure 2 is a schematic cutaway side view of a chamber of the apparatus of Figure 1; 15 Figure 3 is a schematic front view of the apparatus in use in a washing cycle; Figure 4 is a schematic cutaway top view of the chamber in use in a washing cycle; Figure 5 is a schematic cutaway side view of the chamber in use in a drying cycle; and Figure 6 is a schematic cutaway top view of the chamber in use in a drying cycle. 20 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT A hand washing and drying apparatus 10 includes a chamber 12 horizontally oriented in a housing 14. The chamber 12 includes a front opening 16 and a back wall 18. A sump 20 25 with a drain 22 is arranged in a lower portion of the chamber 12. An upper spray nozzle 24 is arranged in an upper portion of the chamber 12 to direct liquid generally vertically downward. Two side spray nozzles 26, 28 are arranged in opposed side portions of the chamber 12 to respectively direct liquid generally laterally inward. An air conduit 30 is arranged in an upper portion of the chamber 12 between the upper spray nozzle 24 and the 30 back wall 18 to direct air downward. A light (not shown) is arranged in an upper portion of the chamber 12 to illuminate the chamber 12. An inwardly turned lip 32 forms a WO 2006/058374 PCT/AU2005/001809 -3 continuation of a front portion of the chamber 12 and projects inward beyond the front opening 16. The housing 14 of the hand washing and drying apparatus 10 further includes a water 5 supply 34, a liquid soap supply 36, an air dryer 38, an optical sensor 40 and a controller 42. The controller 42 is operatively connected to the other components by electrical circuitry (not shown). The water supply 34 and the liquid soap supply 36 are connected to the upper and side spray nozzles 24, 26, 28 by plumbing including piping 44 and valves (not shown). Pumps (not shown) can be provided to regulate the pressure of the water and/or liquid 10 soap, and a water heater (not shown) can be provided to regulate the temperature of the water. The air dryer 38 is connected to the air conduit 30. A non-return flap (not shown) or baffles (not shown) can be provided in the air conduit 30 to prevent water and/or liquid soap from contacting the air dryer 38. The optical sensor 40 is arranged in an upper portion of the chamber 12 between the front opening 16 and the upper spray nozzle 24 to 15 detect hands 46 of a user. In use, the controller 42 is actuated by the optical sensor 40 to control the water supply 34, the liquid soap supply 36 and the air dryer 38 according to preprogrammed washing, drying and self-cleaning cycles. In a washing cycle, sprays of water and/or liquid soap are 20 directed over the backs and palms of the user's hands 46 by the upper and side spray nozzles 24, 26, 28 as depicted in Figure 3. The sump 20 and the drain 22 prevent water and/or liquid soap from pooling in the lower portion of the chamber 12. In a drying cycle, air from the air conduit 30 circulates within the chamber 12 over and around the backs and palms of the user's hands 46 as indicated by the arrows in Figures 5 and 6. During the 25 washing and drying cycles, the inwardly turned lip 32 prevents water, liquid soap and air from escaping out of the chamber 12 and away from the front opening 16. The chamber 12 can be manufactured by, for example, injection moulding. The chamber 12 can be manufactured from, for example, thermoplastic polyurethane. Other suitable 30 manufacturing methods and materials will be apparent to those skilled in the art. In the illustrated embodiment, the chamber 12 has a generally circular vertical cross-section. The WO 2006/058374 PCT/AU2005/001809 -4 chamber 12 may alternatively be made with generally rectangular, square or triangular vertical cross-sections. The housing 14 of the illustrated embodiment has a generally rectangular horizontal cross-section for mounting substantially flush with a wall. Alternatively, the housing can have a generally triangular horizontal cross-section for 5 mounting substantially flush in a corner between two walls. The upper and side spray nozzles 24, 26, 28 are microspray nozzles having a 900 or quarter-circle fan spray pattern. Other suitable spray nozzles will be apparent to those skilled in the art. 10 Embodiments of the present invention provide simple, compact, effective and hygienic hand washing and drying apparatus. The structural arrangement of the chamber allows hands to be thoroughly washed and dried. Contamination is minimised or eliminated by the inwardly turned lip of the chamber which prevents splashback of liquid and backflow 15 of air from the apparatus. The apparatus is operable without the user's hands contacting the apparatus. In addition, the apparatus is preprogrammed to self-clean the chamber between uses. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments that have been described and 20 depicted, but variations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A hand washing and drying apparatus including a horizontal chamber having a 5 front opening and a back wall, a sump with a drain arranged in a lower portion of the chamber, an upper spray nozzle arranged in an upper portion of the chamber to direct liquid generally vertically downward, two side spray nozzles arranged in opposed side portions of the chamber to respectively direct liquid generally laterally inward, an air conduit arranged in an upper portion of the chamber between the upper spray nozzle and 10 the back wall to direct air downward, and an inwardly turned lip forming a continuation of a front portion of the chamber and projecting inward beyond the front opening to prevent liquid and air from escaping out of the chamber and away from the front opening.

2. A hand washing and drying apparatus according to claim 1, further including a 15 water supply and a liquid soap supply connected to the upper and side spray nozzles, an air dryer connected to the air conduit, a sensor arranged in an upper portion of the chamber between the front opening and the upper spray nozzle to detect hands of a user, a controller actuated by the sensor to control the water supply, the liquid soap supply and the air dryer according to preprogrammed washing, drying and self-cleaning cycles. 20

3. A hand washing and drying apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the horizontal chamber has a generally circular, rectangular, square or triangular vertical cross section. 25

4. A hand washing and drying apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the upper and side spray nozzles are microspray nozzles.

5. A hand washing and drying apparatus according to claim 4, wherein in use each microspray nozzle has a 900 or quarter-circle fan spray pattern. 30 WO 2006/058374 PCT/AU2005/001809 -6

6. A hand washing and drying apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.