Automatic hand scrubbing device

A hand scrubbing device designed for automated and efficient cleaning of hands. The present invention features a housing with a sloped bottom wall for fluid drainage, supporting a chamber that houses three brushes: a lower brush, an upper brush, and a center brush. The lower and upper brushes rotate in opposite directions to scrub the hand, while the center brush focuses on cleaning the fingertips. A motor powers the brushes, and a water source is fluidly connected to a spray nozzle. A micro switch is engaged when a hand is inserted between the upper and lower brushes, activating both the motor and the spray nozzle. The device offers an efficient, accessible solution for thorough hand cleaning and can be adapted for use in various industries where improved hygiene is essential.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is related to the field of personal hygiene and, in particular, to an automatic hand scrubbing device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Clean hands are important for hygiene, health, and safety. It is well known that hands are a common pathway for transmitting germs and viruses. Proper handwashing reduces the risk of spreading pathogens. Clean hands are crucial when handling food to avoid contamination. Clean hands reduce the risk of introducing harmful bacteria into cuts or other vulnerable areas on the body which could otherwise lead to infections. In many instances the need to clean the hands is so great that even the attempt to turn on a water faucet can compound the transmission of germs and viruses.

For example, coal miners typically have their hands dirty due to the basic nature of their work. Coal mining involves working with machinery, and dealing with dust and dirt in a limited ventilation areas wherein a significant amount of grime and soot can coat the hands. Even with gloves installed, miners often still come into contact with dirt and coal residue that must be removed from skin for the health and safety of the coal miner. Leaving coal residual on the skin can lead to skin irritation, skin infections, and coal dust includes polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons which are considered carcinogenic.

Another example is meat packers wherein meat is highly susceptible to bacterial contamination, including harmful pathogens likeE. coli, Salmonella, andListeria. For this reason, the food industry is heavily regulated with strict hygiene protocols in place. The mere touching of meat with unclean hands could cause foodborne illnesses which necessitates the cleanliness of meat packers handling the meat.

Other industries that would benefit from initial hand cleaning includes healthcare workers; childcare workers, laboratory technicians, mechanics, restaurants, construction workers, animal handlers, pharmaceutical workers, agricultural workers, beauticians, teachers to name a few.

U.S. Patent 3,516, 673 discloses a hand washing machine with opposing brushes. The disclosure fails to address the use of a fingertip brush, adjustable brushes, and automatic operation upon insertion of an individual's hands.

What is lacking in the industry is an automated hand scrubbing device that cleans hands and fingertips upon insertion into the device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The hand scrubbing device is designed to automate and improve the efficiency of hand cleaning. The present invention features a housing structure with a bottom wall that slopes toward a drainage port, ensuring proper fluid disposal. The housing also supports a rear wall, left and right side walls, and a top panel, which ultimately forms a chamber for the scrubbing components. A water source connects to a spray nozzle within the chamber to disperse fluid during use, ensuring that the hand is adequately rinsed throughout the scrubbing process.

The device is equipped with three brushes: a lower brush, an upper brush, and a center brush. The lower brush rotates in one direction on a horizontal shaft, while the upper brush, mounted above the lower one, rotates in the opposite direction on a separate horizontal shaft that is slidably secured to the side walls via slots. The center brush is mounted vertically, with its shaft extending between the top panel and the bottom wall. This brush arrangement allows for comprehensive cleaning, with the lower and upper brushes cleaning the hand and the center brush specifically targeting the fingertips.

A motor powers the brushes, and the device operates automatically when a hand is inserted between the upper and lower brushes. The act of inserting the hand lifts the upper brush along its slots, activating a micro switch that engages both the motor and the spray nozzle. This triggers the rotation of the brushes and disperses water from the spray nozzle, allowing for efficient, hands-free scrubbing.

An objective of the invention is to provide efficient and automated hand cleaning. The device is designed to thoroughly scrub an individual's hands using rotating brushes, minimizing the effort required by the user while ensuring a high level of cleanliness.

Another objective of the invention is to enhance accessibility and ease of use. The automatic activation of the device when a hand is inserted allows for hands-free operation, making it particularly useful for individuals with limited mobility or physical dexterity.

Yet another objective of the invention is to ensure effective cleaning of hard-to-reach areas. With its center brush specifically targeting the fingertips and the coordinated rotation of the upper and lower brushes, the device aims to provide comprehensive cleaning, addressing areas that are often missed during manual scrubbing.

It will also be appreciated that various combinations of the features disclosed hereafter for a hand scrubbing device are also possible as desired.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Now referring to the figures, a hand scrubbing device10is disclosed. The hand scrubbing device10includes a housing12that has a sloped bottom wall14, a rear wall16, spaced apart left18and right side walls20, and a top panel22, forming a chamber24between these walls. In a preferred embodiment, the top panel22is transparent plastic, so that the user can visually view the operation of the brushes within the chamber24. The sloped bottom wall14directs fluid toward a drainage port26located adjacent to the rear wall16, ensuring efficient removal of or water cleaning solution during operation. This drainage feature is particularly important in preventing fluid buildup, which can hinder the cleaning process and affect the hygiene of the device10.

Within the chamber24, the device10includes a lower brush28mounted on a horizontally disposed shaft30. The first end32of the shaft30is coupled to the left side wall18, and the second end34is coupled to the right side wall20. The lower brush28rotates in a first direction and is responsible for cleaning the underside of the user's hand. When the user inserts their hand, the lower brush28scrubs the palm consistently and thoroughly across the hand's surface, even when handling more stubborn dirt or grease. A top motor36is coupled to the first end32of the lower brush28, driving its rotation.

Mounted above the lower brush28is an upper brush38, attached to a second horizontally disposed shaft40. The second horizontally disposed shaft40has a first end42that is slidably secured to a first slot44in the left side wall18and a second end46slidably secured to a second slot48in the right side wall20, allowing the upper brush38to move vertically. The upper brush38rotates in the opposite direction of the lower brush28, ensuring counter-rotational cleaning action. The upper brush38is restricted from moving horizontally by a first retaining ring45restricting the first end42from moving and a second retaining ring47restricting the second end46from moving. The vertical movement of the upper brush38allows it to adjust to different hand sizes and shapes by applying even pressure across the hand. As the upper brush38moves, it cleans the top of the user's hand. The upper brush38also ensures that all parts of the hand are scrubbed effectively, even areas that might be missed in manual washing.

The lower brush28second end34is coupled to the upper brush38second end46using a self-adjusting chain tensioner50wherein the upper brush38can be moved along the slot48while a first coupling chain52maintains a constant tension. The self-adjusting chain tensioner50is coupled to a retaining block54by springs56. The springs56allow for a constant tension when the upper brush38moves vertically within the slots44,48for smooth operation. The retaining block54is mounted onto the right side wall20with a plurality of fasteners58, such as screws or bolts.

Additionally, a center brush60is mounted on a vertically disposed shaft62, with the upper end64of the shaft62connected to the top panel22and a lower end66secured to the bottom wall14. The center brush60is specifically designed to focus on cleaning the user's fingertips, which are often difficult to reach in manual scrubbing. The rotation of the center brush60ensures that the fingertips receive concentrated cleaning, removing dirt and grime that can accumulate in and around the nails.

The first end32of the lower brush28includes a lower sprocket68, which is coupled to a reciprocal sprocket70on an idler block shaft72. The idler block shaft72is equipped with an end-mounted horizontal bevel gear74that rotates a vertical bevel gear76on the upper end64of the center brush shaft62, ensuring that the rotation of the lower sprocket68powers the rotation of the center brush60. A second coupling chain75is coupled to both the lower sprocket68and the reciprocal sprocket70which in turn drives power from the lower brush28to the idler block shaft72.

The hand scrubbing device10is powered by a battery78, which may be a classic 20V lithium battery, for example, which supplies energy to a motor80and other electrical components that may exist. The battery78is housed either within or outside of the device10and connected to the motor80and a micro switch82via a plurality of wires84. These wires84run to a circuit board86, which acts as the central control system for the device10. The circuit board86manages the distribution of power from the battery78to the motor80and other components, ensuring that the device10operates efficiently. The circuit board86is also connected to the micro switch82, allowing it to regulate the activation of the motor80and ultimately a spray nozzle88. This configuration ensures that the motor80and nozzle88only engage when the user inserts their hand and lifts the upper brush38, conserving power and optimizing the operation of the device10.

The device operates through the motor80that drives the lower28, upper38, and center60brushes. When power is applied, the motor80rotates the brushes28,38,60to facilitate the cleaning process. Power to the motor may be adjusted via a power control knob90electronically connected to the motor80. A spray nozzle88is placed within the chamber24, preferably positioned above the upper brush38, and is fluidly connected to a water source92. The water source92includes a water receptacle94that is coupled to a water pump96. This pump96is activated by a micro switch82, allowing water or cleaning fluid to be dispersed during use.

The micro switch82is engaged by movement of the upper brush38. When the user inserts their hand between the lower28and upper brushes38, the upper brush38is lifted along its slots44,48, activating the micro switch82. This action turns on the motor80, causing the brushes28,38to rotate, and simultaneously activates the spray nozzle88to release fluid. The spray nozzle88may be connected to a hose98that delivers fluid from the water source92to the spray nozzle88. The circuit board86receives signals from the micro switch82and sends the necessary power from the battery78to engage both the motor80and the pump96, ensuring that the brushes28,38and spray nozzle88work in unison for a thorough cleaning. The power of the pump96may be adjusted via a knob100located on the water source92. The combination of the rotating brushes28,38and the water flow creates an effective and automated hand-cleaning process. This device10is especially beneficial for users who need to remove tough grime or contaminants, as the rotating brushes28,38and water spray ensure a thorough and hygienic clean.

The entire design of the device10, from the sloped bottom wall14to the coordinated movement of the lower28, upper38, and center60brushes, is optimized for continuous use. The drainage system ensures that the device remains free from excess fluid buildup, making it ideal for environments where frequent hand cleaning is required, and cleanliness is critical. The battery-powered system allows for portability, making the device10suitable for various work environments without requiring constant access to a power outlet. The device10, however, is not limited to only battery power and may be plugged into a power outlet when the need is suited.