Hand washing machine

Abstract

The invention relates to a hand washing machine comprising a container body (12), wherein the container body has an opening (14) for inserting the hands into a washing tank (20), and where the machine has a vibration pump (30) for supplying water to one or more hollow cone axial flow spray nozzles (34), said spray nozzles being directed towards the inside of said washing tank (20), wherein said machine comprises a motorized suction fan (60) that draws air from outside the machine into the washing tank (20) and through a hole (62) to create a spray volume of atomized water particles capable of remaining on the hands inserted into the washing tank (20), where said atomized water particles have a diameter of between 0.165 and 0.185 microns.

Description

[0001] "HAND WASHING MACHINE"

[0002] FIELD OF INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates to a hand washing machine .

[0004] In particular, said machine is particularly suitable for installation in contexts where there is a constant flow of people, to name but a few examples : Hospital reception areas, service stations, waiting areas in large offices, recreational areas in large offices, large bathrooms, post offices, banks, entrances to food production areas, entrances to chemical and pharmaceutical production areas, and more .

[0005] PREVIOUS TECHNOLOGY

[0006] As is well known, hand washing is commonly perceived as a hygienic gesture and has been proven to be an effective way to prevent the spread of various diseases .

[0007] A well-known system, used mainly in public places, consists of photocell- activated taps, which can consume over 1 litre of water per wash.

[0008] Even higher water consumption occurs with traditional manually operated taps .

[0009] On the other hand, limiting water consumption can lead to numerous benefits, including the conservation of natural resources, reduced environmental impact and economic savings . By using water responsibly, we contribute to environmental sustainability and ensure that this precious resource is available for future generations .

[0010] A purpose of the present invention is to provide a hand washing machine that improves the effectiveness of hand washing by improving the removal of germs and bacteria compared to traditional methods .

[0011] A further purpose of the invention is to provide a hand washing machine that is capable of drastically reducing water consumption, contributing to the conservation of water resources and ensuring significant savings . Another purpose of the invention is to provide a hand washing machine that is highly water efficient, such that its reduced water consumption represents a significant factor in the sustainability balance of the user company, contributing to a reduction in environmental impact and responsible management of natural resources .

[0012] Last but not least, the invention aims to provide a hand washing machine that is capable of ensuring a repeatable and reliable washing process, regardless of environmental conditions .

[0013] Finally, another purpose of the invention is to provide a hand washing machine that facilitates maintenance management and the timely resolution of any problems .

[0014] BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0015] These objectives are achieved by means of a hand washing machine comprising a container body, wherein the container body has an opening for inserting the hands into a washing tank, and wherein the machine has at least one vibration drive pump for supplying water to one or more hollow cone, axial flow spray nozzles, said spray nozzles being directed towards the inside of the washing tank, wherein the machine comprises a motorized suction fan that draws air from outside the machine towards the inside of the washing tank and through a suction hole to create a spray volume of atomized water particles capable of remaining on the hands inserted into the washing tank, wherein said atomized water particles have a diameter of between 0.165 and 0.185 microns .

[0016] An advantage of the invention is that the machine uses spray nozzles and an extraction system to create a spray volume with atomized water particles with a diameter between 0.165 and 0.185 microns .

[0017] This atomization ensures uniform coverage and effective penetration of the water and sanitizing solution or disinfectant solution r onto the hands, avoiding wetting the user' s cuffs and improving the effectiveness of washing compared to traditional methods .

[0018] By virtue of the nebulization technology, the machine uses significantly less water than conventional hand washing methods .

[0019] Further features of the invention can be inferred from the dependent claims .

[0020] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0021] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from reading the following description, which is provided by way of example and is not intended to be limiting, with the aid of the figures shown in the attached drawings, in which:

[0022] - Figure 1 is a front view of the hand washing machine according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0023] - Figure 2 is a side view of the hand washing machine of Figure 1;

[0024] Figure 3 is a schematic view of a hand washing machine of the invention; and

[0025] - Figure 4 is a schematic view of a hand washing machine of the invention, according to a further embodiment of the invention.

[0026] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME FORMS OF REALISATION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0027] With initial reference to Figure 1, the hand washing machine of the invention, generally indicated by reference number 10, is shown.

[0028] The machine 10 has a container body 12, which is essentially cylindrical in shape, designed to form a totem-shaped body for use by a user and to contain the working parts and fluids of the machine 10.

[0029] At the front of this container body 12 there is an opening 14 for the user to insert their hands, which gives access to a stainless steel tank 20, described in more detail below.

[0030] Above the opening 14 there is a touch screen monitor 16 for interacting with the user during the hand washing process .

[0031] In particular, the monitor performs various functions providing information on the operation of the machine and, among other things, is also able to show the user the ideal procedure for washing their hands using the machine of the invention.

[0032] Figure 2 is a side view of machine 10 showing, among other things, that machine 10 can also include recessed handles 18 for transport .

[0033] Figure 3 is a schematic view of a machine 10 for washing hands according to an embodiment of the invention. In general, the structure of machine 10 is based on a Basic Technological Chain comprising the following elements .

[0034] Firstly, hand washing takes place inside a hand washing tank 20, preferably made of stainless steel 316, which is particularly suitable for environments where HCCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) standards must be complied with.

[0035] The tank 20 has an opening 14 for the user to insert their hands, following the direction of the arrow M.

[0036] The water for washing is supplied to the tank 20 by a low-voltage (24 Volt) vibration pump 30 with a pressure of 7.5 Bar.

[0037] The water can be taken from a tank 32 or, alternatively, from the mains water supply.

[0038] According to the invention, the water is delivered to the tank by one or more spray nozzles 34, which have an ejection hole section between 0.45 mm and 0.55 mm, and are hollow cone-shaped with axial flow to allow the delivery of sprayed water particles .

[0039] The machine 10 therefore operates using a small amount of water, as the technology used is based on the principle of compression and expansion of the water itself, a principle better known as atomization.

[0040] The nozzles chosen, and in particular their size, allow the delivery of water mist particles with a size between 0.165 and 0.185 microns .

[0041] If necessary, it is possible to measure the size of the water particles using, among other things, a well-known laser technology which, under certain predetermined conditions, detects the water particles propelled at a certain pressure at a certain distance from the nebulizing nozzle and certifies their size.

[0042] Machine 10 also includes a pump 40 for transforming and dispensing a sanitizing solution, which is taken from a bag 42 and dispensed through one or more nozzles 44. The pump is designed to change the state of the fluid, transforming the sanitizing solution into foam by mixing it with air.

[0043] The machine 10 also includes a motorized suction fan 60 powered by low voltage (12-24 volts) with electronic control of the number of rotations . The machine 10 also includes an air delivery element for drying 70, the drying element 70 being composed of a cover and a container made of 316 stainless steel and aluminium, with two low voltage (12-24 Volt) turbine motors and a heating element with a power of up to 1, 000 Watts controlled by an electronic variator powered at 220 Volts positioned inside .

[0044] Inside the tank 20, there is also an infrared motion sensor 80, powered by low voltage (12-24 volts) .

[0045] Machine 10 also features a process control board 450 with STM 32 Cube Mix processor, firmware and software developed entirely in-house, as well as a power supply and power board designed entirely in-house and manufactured to specific layout and component specifications .

[0046] Figure 4 is a schematic view of a hand washing machine of the invention, according to a further embodiment of the invention, and globally indicated with the reference number 10 ' .

[0047] In this version, machine 10 ' may coirprise a plurality of low-voltage (24 Volt) vibration-driven pumps 50 with a pressure of 7.5 Bar for dispensing a non-alcohol-based PMC (Presidio Medico Chirurgico) disinfectant solution.

[0048] The PMC disinfectant solution particles, taken from a bag 52, are delivered by one or more axial flow hollow cone spray nozzles 54.

[0049] The operation of the machine 10 of the invention can be summarized as follows .

[0050] The washing process is activated by placing the hands in the tank 20, as the infrared presence and movement sensor 80 detects the presence of the user' s hands, activates and generates a signal to the electronic control unit 450 to start the washing process .

[0051] The electronic control unit 450 activates the vibration pumps 30, which turn on and push the water towards the spray nozzles 34 .

[0052] The spray nozzles 34 dispense atomized water particles that create a spray bell or volume 90, measured with a thrust power of 5 bar of pressure, spray bell 90 with a maximum diameter between 260 mm and 270 mm and atomized water particles with a diameter between 0.165 and 0.185 microns .

[0053] The electronic control unit 450 activates the suction fan motor 60, which creates a flow of sucked air that is taken from the opening 14 for the introduction of the hands into the tank and concentrated towards a suction hole 62 following the direction of the arrows shown in Figures 3 and 4 .

[0054] This suction hole 62 can have a diameter chosen between a minimum of 8 cm and a maximum of 10 cm. The spray nozzles 34 then create a real cloud of atomized water particles .

[0055] The flow of sucked air stabilizes the cloud of atomized water particles emitted by the atomizing nozzles, improving the efficiency of hand wetting, preventing water from escaping onto the cuffs and stabilizing the process, ensuring repeatability without being affected by sudden changes in temperature and ambient humidity.

[0056] As shown in figure 3, machine 10 operates with a sanitizing solution using a solution dispensing system with a liquid-to-foam conversion pump and expulsion through a hollow nozzle.

[0057] The hand wetting process is followed by the dispensing of the sanitizing solution in a foamy state, followed by rinsing and drying.

[0058] The entire process takes between 45 and 60 seconds .

[0059] Throughout the process, the user is informed via the 16 LCD display on the top of the machine about the best hand positioning and movement to ensure maximum cleaning and sanitizing effectiveness .

[0060] As shown in Figure 4, machine 10, according to an alternative embodiment of the invention, operates using a sanitizing solution, activating the dedicated vibration pumps and spraying the solution through the relevant nozzles for better distribution and more effective hand sanitization.

[0061] In this case, the hand wetting process is followed by the dispensing of the sanitizing disinfectant solution, followed by rinsing and drying.

[0062] According to the invention, the special technology developed allows for stabilization and constant efficiency, which translates into a stable spray bell or volume with water particles having a diameter between 0.165 and 0.185 microns .

[0063] To support the above-mentioned technological chain, software has been developed which, through sensors that measure water consumption, maintains the effectiveness of the water cloud, regardless of the degree of humidity and external temperature .

[0064] The machine is electronically controlled and the electronics detect water consumption and any malfunctions, by means of an internet connection to a control room, all operating parameters can be constantly monitored and maintenance phases, such as descaling and replacement of anti-scale filters, can be programmed.

[0065] The nebulized water particles are stabilized by the air suction system, which creates a cone or bell (or more generally a volume) of nebulized water spray capable of remaining on the hands inserted and ensuring that the particles, before falling to the bottom of the tank, to then be conveyed towards the drain 22, are distributed evenly over the skin of the hands, ensuring the best wetting and subsequently better cleaning thanks to the sanitizing solution or the best sanitization thanks to the disinfectant solution.

[0066] Obviously, modifications or improvements may be made to the invention as described, for contingent or specific reasons, without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed below.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A hand-washing machine comprising a container body (12) , wherein said container body has an opening (14) for inserting hands inside a wash tub (20) , and wherein said machine has a vibration booster pump (30) for feeding water to one or more hollow-cone, axial-flow atomizing nozzles (34) said atomizing nozzles being directed towards the inside of said wash tub (20) , wherein said machine includes a motorized suction fan ( 60) that draws air from outside the machine to the inside of the wash tank (20) and through a suction hole ( 62) to create a spraying volume of water mist particles capable of stationing on the hands inserted in the wash tank (20) , wherein said water mist particles are between 0.165 and 0.185 microns in diameter.

2. Machine as in claim 1, in which the hollow-cone, axial-flow spray nozzles (34) have ejection hole cross-sections between 0.45 mm and 0.55 mm.

3. Machine as at claim 1, in which the vibration booster pump (30) is powered at low voltage with a pressure output of 7.5 Bar.

4. Machine as in claim 1, in which the said machine includes an infrared motion sensor (80) for automatic activation of the washing process .

5. Machine as in claim 1, in which said intake hole ( 62) can have a diameter chosen between a minimum of 8 cm and a maximum of 10 cm.

6. Machine as in claim 1, comprising a pump for processing and dispensing a sanitizing solution (40) taken from a bag (42) and dispensedthrough one or more nozzles (44) directed to the inside of the wash tank(20) .

7. Machine as in claim 1, comprising one or more vibrating thrust pump (s) (50) powered at low voltage to deliver a disinfectant solution, where said disinfectant solution is drawn from a bag (52) , and one or more hollow-cone, axial-flow atomizing nozzle (s) (54) to nebulize the disinfectant solution within the wash tank (20) .

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