Abstract:
A device for sanitizing human hands. One embodiment, comprising of a casing shell containing a heating element, an air displacement means, and a cavity that is able to accommodate a human hand.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/742,294, filed 2012 Aug. 7 by the present inventor. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Prior Art 
       [0002]    The following is a tabulation of some prior art that presently appears relevant: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 U.S. Patents 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Pat. No. 
                 Kind Code 
                 Issue Date 
                 Patentee 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 2,814,081 
                 B1 
                 1957-11-26 
                 Stevenson 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 U.S. Patent Application Publications 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Publication Nr. 
                 Kind Code 
                 Publ. Date 
                 Applicant 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 U.S. Pat. No. 5,498,394 
                 A 
                 1996-03-12 
                 Matschke 
               
               
                 U.S. Pat. No. 8,142,713 
                 B2 
                 2012-03-27 
                 Gordon 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Foreign Patent Documents 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Cntry 
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 Foreign Doc. Nr. 
                 Code 
                 Kind Code 
                 Pub. Dt 
                 App or Patentee 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 WO2012076521 
                 EP 
                 A1 
                 2012-06-14 
                 Graydon 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0003]    People are concerned about reducing the bacteria present on their hands. The current methods used to reduce the presence of bacteria on hands include using an alcohol based hand gel or using a UV (Ultraviolet) light/radiation. There are other devices designed to dry hands that are used in public restrooms. 
         [0004]    Recent media articles report the worry that the overuse of antibacterial gels and soaps may be contributing to the creation of drug-resistant mutant germs. 
         [0005]    People need a solution that does not rely on hand gel and is economical. 
         [0006]    All the hand sanitizer devices heretofore known suffer from a number of disadvantages:
       (a) The use of UV light/radiation is costly.   (b) The reliance on some form of alcohol based gel or spray.   (c) The use of antibacterial soap or gel.       
 
       Advantages 
       [0010]    Although others have invented alcohol based hand gels, UV (Ultraviolet) sanitizers, and public bathroom hand dryers, various aspects of my electric hand sanitizer may have one or more of the following advantages:
       does not require an alcohol based gel   does not require a UV light/radiation   provides a more accessible option for hands   is easily placed in a wide range of locations   blows hot air into a cavity   is less awkward to use.       
 
     
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
       Figures 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view from above in accordance with one embodiment. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  shows an internal/side view cut away in accordance with one embodiment. 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  shows an exploded view in accordance with one embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     FIG.  2 —First Embodiment 
       [0020]    The components of my invention are:
       a casing shell   insulation   a heating element   an array of fans   a motion sensor   a power supply   an electrical plug/power cord   a logic chip   a power light   an in-use light   a power button   a stop button   a protective lining   footings       
 
         [0035]    One embodiment of the device is shown in  FIG. 2 . The device has an electrical plug/cord  24  connected to a power supply  22  which is affixed to the bottom portion of a casing  10 . The casing  10  is stabilized by footings/legs  26 . An internal frame  28  is mounted within the casing  10 . Secured to the internal frame  28  is a motion sensor  20  and logic chip  30 . A heating element  14  is attached to the top of the casing  10 . The heating element is connected to an array of fans  16 . A protective lining  18  lines the interior of the internal frame  28 , forming a cavity  40 . Insulation  12  lines the casing  10  around the heating element  14 . A power light  32 , an in-use light  34 , a power button  36 , and a stop button  38  are all attached to the top of the casing  10 . 
         [0036]    The method or arrangement of wiring or connecting the above electronic components and mounting them in a case will be well known to those with ordinary skill in the electronic and mechanical arts. 
       Operation—FIG.  2   
       [0037]    My electric hand sanitizer achieves its result as follows: A user of the electric hand sanitizer places the desired hand into the cavity  40 . The motion sensor  20  is activated and the in-use light  34  turns on. Power from the power supply  22  is sent to the heating element  14  which generates heat. That heat is evenly dispersed throughout the cavity  40  using the array of fans  16 . The user waits the number of seconds until the fans  16  stop blowing and the in-use light  34  turns off. The user then withdraws their hand. The user would then repeat the process for their other hand if desired. 
         [0038]    Alternative Embodiments 
         [0039]    There are many alternative ways that my electric hand sanitizer can be implemented:
       A different power source can be used, for example—a battery, USB, or car socket.   The casing can be different shapes, for example—the shape of a hand.   The casing can be different colors.   A different electrical plug connector (i.e. shock protection) can be used.   There could be different sizes of the device for a range of hand sizes.   The orientation of the device could be modified (i.e. standing up or laying flat).   A manual push button could be used to activate the device.   It could be sized for use with a human foot.   The amount of time the fans blow could be modified.   The temperature of the hot air being blown could be modified.   More or fewer fans could be used.   Fans could be placed outside the casing.   A cooling fan (i.e. no heat) could be added to follow the use of the heat fan.   A quiet version of a fan could be used.   Exhaust fans could be attached.   A light could turn on when the process is complete.   A sound could chime when the process is complete.   The cavity opening can be different shapes, for example—elliptical, or rectangular.   There could be two cavities allowing both hands to use the device simultaneously.   It could connected to a computer network or the cloud.       
 
       CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE 
       [0060]    Accordingly, the reader will see that at least one embodiment of the electric hand sanitizer provides a more easily maintainable yet economical device that can be used by persons of any age for hand sanitization. 
         [0061]    Although the description above contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope, but rather as an exemplification of one [or several] embodiment(s) thereof. Many other variations are possible. For example, the casing can have other shapes, such as in the form of a hand, etc.; the casing can have other sizes; the casing can have other colors; the cavity opening can have other shapes, such as elliptical, rectangular, round, etc; the cavity can have other sizes; the power supply can have other sources, such as a battery, USB, car socket, etc. 
         [0062]    Thus the scope of the embodiments should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.