Cashier Station Vertical Air Curtain Attachment

US20220010994A1Pending Publication Date: 2022-01-13KURMLAVAGE MICHAEL M
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
US · United States
Current Assignee / Owner
Publication Date
2022-01-13

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Abstract

Provided is a cashier station attachment for creating a vertical air curtain between a retailer and a customer. The device includes a substantially planar body with an internal chamber and an open side with a diffuser, an attachment means for attaching the device to a cashier station, and a means for forcing air into the internal chamber and out of the diffuser. The forced air from the chamber creates an air curtain, which is an invisible barrier between a retailer and a customer. The air curtain prevents the spread of contaminants, pathogens, and the like that are expelled from the mouth or nose of a person on one side of the air curtain from contacting a person on the other side. The device can be retrofitted onto any preexisting cashier station and can be readily removed as desired.
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Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 049,167 filed on Jul. 8, 2020, entitled, “Food Prep Bar Transparent Barrier System With Air Curtain”. The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to a cashier station. More particularly, it pertains to a cashier station attachment for creating a vertical air curtain between a retailer and a customer to prevent the spread of contaminants, pathogens, and the like that are expelled from the mouth or nose of a person on one side of the air curtain from contacting a person on the other side.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] With the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, restaurants, grocery stores, and other businesses were forced to change their customer service policies. For example, stores began implementing procedures to ...

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0025]Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the cashier station shield. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used as a cashier station attachment for creating an air curtain between a customer and a retailer. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.

Definition

[0026]An “air curtain” is an invisible and continuously blown curtain of air that creates a barrier or shield. The air curtain diverts airborne hazards, including insects, contaminants, particles, pathogens, and respiratory droplets away from a location. Air curtains are recommended by the FDA as an effective means of protection from airborne hazards, as enumerated in Food Code 6-202.15(D)(2). As described herein, air shields prevent insects, contaminan...