Automatic hand-sanitizing system

A wall-mounted housing encloses a blower, an antiseptic solution holder, an atomizer pump, and a timer-switch assembly. A front-mounted actuator bar initiates a timer which starts the blower and pump. The atomizer delivers antiseptic solution into the blower discharge for delivery of a vapor mist through the nozzle to the hands of the user for a pre-determined period of time established by the timer. Then the atomizer is shut down by the timer and the blower continues to operate for another predetermined period to dry the hands.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates generally to sanitation equipment, and more 
particularly to apparatus for cleaning hands without the use of a liquid 
wash. 
In medical care environments, particularly in coronary care units (CCU) and 
intensive care units (ICU), the maintenance of very sanitary conditions is 
extremely important, and cross-contamination between patients must be 
avoided. Therefore, conscientious attendants may feel compelled to wash 
hands as they move from one patient to the next. But often there is no 
visible evidence of any foreign matter on the hands. Even so, the usual 
sanitizing procedure is washing with hot water and antiseptic soap 
solution or the like, rinsing and drying. This procedure requires some 
time and, if too frequent or rigorous, may result in skin irritation. But 
the prior art known to me provides no suitable alternative. Wall-mounted 
hand dryer blowers may be helpful to avoid aggravation during the drying 
step, but their function is only to dry hands by a blast of air. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
Described briefly, according to a typical embodiment of my invention, there 
is apparatus which includes a nozzle from which a vapor mist and drying 
air can be discharged. There is a container to hold antiseptic solution. 
An atomizer pump takes solution from the container, breaks it into a fine 
spray, and introduces it into the upstream side of the nozzle. An air 
blower is provided to take room air and discharge it through the nozzle. A 
sequence initiator is coupled to the atomizer and blower and, when pushed, 
will start a timer coupled to the atomizer and blower to start operation 
of both of them. The atomizer will introduce antiseptic solution into the 
blower discharge for delivery of a vapor mist through the nozzle for a 
pre-determined period of time established by the timer. The atomizer will 
then be shut down by the timer and the blower will continue to operate for 
another predetermined period. 
In the use of the apparatus, the person places one hand under the nozzle, 
pushes the initiator bar and places the other hand under the nozzle. A 
vapor mist of antiseptic solution is delivered from the nozzle for five to 
ten seconds. Then the vapor mist automatically shuts off and dry air 
continues to flow from the nozzle to dry the hands. The hands may be wrung 
together in whatever manner desired by the user during the discharge of 
the vapor mist, and during the continued operation of the blower for the 
drying period.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the 
invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the 
drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will 
nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the 
invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications 
in the illustrated device, and such further applications of the principles 
of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would 
normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. 
Referring now to the drawing in detail, a vertical wall 11 of a building 
has the apparatus of the present invention secured to it by a mounting 
plate 12 fastened to the wall, and the housing 13 fastened to the mounting 
plate. A blower 14 mounted in the housing has an air intake duct 16 
receiving room air through the intake grille 17. The blower has a 
discharge duct 18 directed through the bottom of the housing from which 
the discharge nozzle 19 projects. The duct 18 and nozzle 19 are sealed 
together so that the blower discharge all exits through the nozzle 19 in 
the general direction of the arrow 21. For convenience of use, the housing 
should be mounted on the wall 11 at a height such that the bottom of the 
discharge nozzle would be located at an elevation between 34 and 54 inches 
above the floor. 
A bottle 22 containing antiseptic solution is mounted on the shelf 23 
inside and near the top 24 of the housing. An access door 26 is mounted at 
the top of the housing to permit addition of solution to the bottle, when 
desired. 
An atomizer pump 27 is mounted in the housing and has an intake line 28 
from the bottom of the bottle and a discharge line 29 to the discharge 
duct 18 of the blower. A timer-switch assembly 32 has an electrical power 
input from the supply cord 33, or it may be directly connected to the 
building wiring (a more typical installation). The timer-switch assembly 
32 has outputs coupled to the blower motor 34 and to the atomizer pump 27. 
A push-actuated bar 31 at the lower front of the housing, is coupled to 
the timer-switch assembly 32 and, when pushed, starts the timer which 
closes two power switches, one to the atomizer pump and one to the blower 
motor. Under control of the timer, the one switch will open in about five 
to seven seconds after bar 31 is pushed, to terminate action of the 
atomizer pump. Under control of the timer, the other switch will open in 
about ten seconds after the bar is pushed, to thereupon terminate 
operation of the blower. 
Details of the assembly 32 and the mechanical coupling to the bar 31 and 
electrical couplings to the blower and atomizer are not described herein, 
because devices for the individual functions of these components are 
readily available and well known in the art. 
OPERATION 
In the operation of the present invention, the attendant simply pushes the 
bar 31 with one hand while holding the other under the nozzle. This action 
initiates the timer-switch 32 which energizes the blower motor 33 and the 
atomizer pump 27. As indicated above, the timer is set up so that the 
blower motor will operate approximately 10 seconds from the initiation of 
the action by pushing the bar 31. It is also set up so that the atomizer 
will operate only 5 to 7 seconds and then be shut off by the timer switch. 
After pushing bar 31, the user will put their other hand under the nozzle 
and the nozzle will discharge a vapor mist of the antiseptic solution 
which is sufficient to wet the hands and be rubbed about, but not 
sufficient to create a dripping problem. When the misting is stopped by 
the timer, the blower continues to operate and dries the hands. The user 
can then proceed with sterilized hands, to attend to the next patient. 
While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the 
drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as 
illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that 
only the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that all 
changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are 
desired to be protected.