Machine for removing disposable overshoes

Abstract

In environments that require hygiene and protection against contamination, it is necessary to use disposable hygienic overshoes on the feet. After use, the overshoes must be removed, manually or automatically, in a hygienic manner. The present invention pertains to the technological sector of machinery, and consists of a machine (1) having a collector (10) for disposable overshoes and provided with a platform (2) for supporting a foot wearing a disposable overshoe positioned on an upper belt (3.1), which moves in the opposite direction to a lower belt (3.2), wherein the two belts form a mechanism (3) for pulling off disposable overshoes. The machine (1) is provided with a drive motor (5) and actuated by a switch (7) or by an inductive sensor (8). The machine (1) is provided with directing rollers (5.2, 5.3 and 5.4) for defining the directions of the sections of the belts that form an "L" shape. The lower belt (3.2) has a mechanism composed of an articulated roller (5.5) mounted on spring-actuated displacers (5.6) that are mounted on guides (5.7) for adjusting passage of the overshoe inside the machine to an upper level of said belts so that it reaches the level of the collector (10) where the overshoe is collected.

Description

DISPOSABLE SNEAKER REMOVER MACHINE Technical sector

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technological sector of mechanics and consists of a machine for removing disposable protective shoe slippers, said machine being provided with a platform for positioning the foot and equipped with a drag mechanism that removes and directs the slipper through a pair of belts, allowing its controlled transport to a disposal container. State of the art

[0002] Disposable hygienic slippers are common in the state of the art. Their purpose is to protect the environment from footwear contamination, as well as the footwear itself from environmental contamination. They are used primarily in hospitals, clinics, laboratories, medical centers, clean rooms, pharmaceutical, electronics, and cosmetics industries, and many other applications where there is a risk of contamination. While these slippers offer a form of protection for the feet and the environment, the need to change or remove them poses the risk of contaminating the hands. This problem is particularly significant in environments where hygiene is critical.

[0003] Additionally, for people with limited mobility, such as the elderly, obese, or pregnant women, squatting or sitting down to remove the shoes may be uncomfortable or even impossible.

[0004] The equipment available on the market to assist users of disposable slippers and remove them without having to squat or sit down uses vacuum systems to suction the slippers, which generates a high level of noise, which can be inconvenient in environments such as hospitals or laboratories where silence is important. Furthermore, the use of high-speed motors that require 110 or 220 volt alternating current to generate a vacuum can introduce the possibility of electric shock, especially in humid environments where the risk of electrical conduction is greater.

[0005] US patent document 2011272440 concerns a device Automated shoe cover removal system consisting of a shoe receiving chute, a vacuum system, a primary chamber, and an actuator. When a user places a shoe covered by a shoe cover into the chute, the actuator is activated, activating the system's vacuum. This causes the shoe to be sucked through a tubular vacuum suction opening, directing it to the primary chamber. The chamber, located in a remote location, collects the removed shoe covers, preventing the dispersion of dirt and contaminants into the environment. This document aims to simplify and automate the removal of shoe covers. However, it is known that suction systems rely on high-speed electric motors, which have characteristics that make them inconvenient in certain types of environments, such as: - The noise coming from the electric motor and the suction system is high compared to what is tolerable in hospital, laboratory, clinical environments, etc.; - The motors used in this system present a risk of electric shock to users depending on the level of humidity in the environment and because they are systems connected directly to the electrical grid, without any type of source or protection between the grid and the motor; - Electric motors generate sparks when activated, which makes their use in environments with explosive atmospheres prohibited; - The system needs to use very efficient filters to retain contaminants before the air is sent to the atmosphere. Novelties and purpose of the invention

[0006] The present invention relates to a machine that removes disposable sanitary slippers from users' feet, without the need to touch with hands, squat or sit during the process, also eliminating devices that remove them using suction motors.

[0007] This device operates on a pair of mats positioned at the base of the system under a platform specially designed to accommodate the foot wearing the hygienic slipper. These mats are oriented to develop movements in opposite directions. When the user places their foot on the platform, the hygienic slipper rests on the mats.

[0008] This arrangement of opposing directions creates a "pulling" effect on the shoe into the system. Initially, this movement occurs in a low-profile area. The device incorporates its tracks, establishing a specific angle to drag the insole to the top of the collector inlet.

[0009] As the shoe is pulled into the device by the initial belts, its trajectory is controlled by a coordinated and synchronized movement, maintaining a small gap between the belts. This control allows the shoes to be directed through a continuous dragging motion along these belts to an upper section of the device, where they are transported and dropped into a designated container for disposal.

[0010] The tracks are driven by a motor, which can be mechanically activated by an electronic button on the safety bar or automatically activated by an inductive sensor located on the platform. When a pneumatic motor is required, it can be manually activated via a pneumatic switch on the safety bar.

[0011] In addition, the device includes a safety bar at the top, providing support to the user when lifting the foot to place it on the platform, preventing the person from losing balance during use, which facilitates the subsequent removal of the hygienic slipper. Advantages and technical effects of the invention

[0012] Unlike existing prior art solutions, which employ noisy suction systems and high-speed, energy-intensive motors, the invention relies on an extraction system powered by friction generated by the movement of the belts in contact with the base of the disposable shoe worn on the user's foot. The absence of a suction motor results in reduced noise emissions. Furthermore, its motor operates with low-speed direct current from sources, eliminating noise from the engine and any risk of electric shock in humid environments.

[0013] In environments with a risk of explosion, where safety is paramount (also known as "Explosive Atmospheres"), the pneumatic motor option is necessary. Such locations require devices that do not generate sparks or excessive heat, reducing the possibility of ignition of flammable substances. List of attached drawings

[0014] In order for the present invention to be fully understood and put into practice by any technician in this technological sector, it is described in a clear, precise and sufficient manner, based on the attached drawings, listed below: Figure 1 - Left side view of the device; Figure 2 - Right side perspective of the device with the right structural wall removed; Figure 3 - Right side view with removal of the right structural wall; Figure 4 - Right side perspective detailing the lower track articulation mechanism. Detailed description of the invention

[0015] Figure 1 illustrates a left side perspective view of the machine (1) with the waste collector (10) at its rear. The machine (1) is equipped with a platform (2) to support the foot wearing the disposable slipper. Said platform (2) is mounted between the structural walls (4) and positioned on the upper conveyor belt (3.1) in the opposite direction to the lower conveyor belt (3.2), where both comprise a dragging mechanism (3) of the disposable slippers into the machine (1).

[0016] The machine (1) is equipped with a traction motor (5) powered by a VDC source (6) and activated manually via a switch (7) installed on the safety bar (9) or automatically via the inductive sensor (8) located on the side of the foot support platform (2).

[0017] Figures 2 and 3 illustrate the machine (1) with one of the structural walls (4) suppressed to detail the constructive arrangement used between the guiding rollers (5.2), pair of guiding rollers (5.3) and trio of guiding rollers (5.4) to define the directions of the sections of the belts that form an “L” configuration, establishing a specific angle for dragging the insole to the top of the collector inlet. The pair of guiding rollers (5.3) and the trios of guiding rollers (5.4) are arranged to prevent the disposable shoe from being introduced between the belt and the guiding roller during the passage of said shoe between the belts. The belts (3.1 and 3.2) are equipped with stretcher rollers (5.8) at their ends located in the highest segment of the device (1) above the collector (10).

[0018] The direction of rotation of the aforementioned tracks (3.1) and (3.2) is indicated in figure 2 by the direction arrows and their movement occurs through the rotation of the driving cylinder (5.1) given by the traction motor (5). In these figures it is possible to visualize the positioning of the inductive sensor (8) on the structural wall (4) in relation to platform (2).

[0019] Figure 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the drag mechanism (3) where the upper track (3.1) and lower track (3.2) meet to drag the shoe into the device (1). The lower track (3.2) has a mechanism composed of an articulated roller (5.5) with the ends of its shaft mounted on spring-driven displacers (5.6), said displacers (5.6) being mounted on guides (5.7). This mechanism enables the adaptive movement of the articulated cylinder (5.3) to adjust the passage of the disposable shoe between itself and the driving roller (5.1).

Claims

CLAIMS 1. DISPOSABLE SNEAKER REMOVAL MACHINE comprising a platform (2) for foot support mounted between structural walls (4) and equipped with a collecting container (10), characterized in that said platform (2) is positioned on the upper track (3.1), which has a direction of movement opposite to that of the lower track (3.2), and that the tracks (3.1 and 3.2) comprise a mechanism for dragging (3) the slippers into the free space between said tracks (3.1 and 3.2); in that the device (1) is equipped with a traction motor (5) that drives the driving roller (5.1) of the upper track (3.1) which, by friction, drives the lower track (3.2) equipped with the articulated roller (5.5) and in that the collecting container (10) is positioned at the upper end of the tracks (3.1 and 3.2).

2. DISPOSABLE SHOE REMOVAL MACHINE according to claim 1, characterized in that the upper belt (3.1) is rotated by the driving roller (5.1) and mounted on guiding rollers (5.2), a trio of guiding rollers (5.4) and stretcher rollers (5.8).

3. DISPOSABLE SHOE REMOVAL MACHINE according to claim 1, characterized in that the lower track (3.2) is mounted on guiding rollers (5.2), a pair of rollers (5.3), trios of guiding rollers (5.4) and stretch rollers (5.8); the lower track (3.2) is equipped with an articulated roller (5.5), said articulated roller (5.5) being mounted between displacers (5.6) pressed by a spring with axial movement in guides (5.7).

4. DISPOSABLE SNEAKER REMOVAL MACHINE according to claim 1, characterized in that the traction motor (5) is powered by a VDC source (6) activated by a switch (7) on the safety bar (9) or by an inductive sensor (8) located on the side of the platform (2).

5. DISPOSABLE SNEAKER REMOVAL MACHINE according to claim 1, characterized in that the traction motor (5) is powered by a pneumatic circuit.

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